title: Is there a role for Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy in ischemic colitis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of pentavalent Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [Tc-99m (V) DMSA] in the diagnosis of ischemic colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients with endoscopically and histologically confirmed ischemic colitis were included in the study. Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy was performed within 2 d after colonoscopy. Images were considered positive when an area of increased activity was observed in the region of interest and negative when no abnormal tracer uptake was detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 3 out of the 14 patients, Tc-99m (V) DMSA images showed moderate activity in the bowel. The scintigraphic results corresponded with the endoscopic findings. In the other 11 patients, no abnormal tracer uptake was detected in the abdomen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides the limited number of patients, Tc-99m (V) DMSA could not be considered as a useful imaging modality for the evaluation of ischemic colitis.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Heraklion, Department of Gastroenterology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Stathaki
authors.forename: Ioannis E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Koutroubakis
authors.forename: Sophia I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Koukouraki
authors.forename: Elias A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kouroumalis
authors.forename: Nikolaos S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Karkavitsas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017091:Colitis, Ischemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid