title: Applicability of99mTc-Labeled Human Serum Albumin Scintigraphy in Dogs With Protein-Losing Enteropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosis of protein loss into the gastrointestinal tract using noninvasive techniques is challenging. In people, scintigraphy not only is a sensitive tool to confirm protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), but it also allows for localization of protein loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of99mTc-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) scintigraphy in dogs with PLE in comparison with control dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 8 clinically healthy control research dogs and 7 client-owned dogs with gastrointestinal clinical signs and hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration <2.0 g/dL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study. After IV injection of 400 MBq freshly prepared99mTc HSA (30 mg/dog), images of the abdomen were obtained 10, 60, 120, and 240 minutes postinjection. Additional images of the salivary and thyroid glands were obtained to rule out free99mTc. A scan was considered positive for PLE when radiopharmaceutical exudation was detectable in the intestinal tract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 1 control dog showed exudation of the radiopharmaceutical into the intestinal tract. No free99mTc was detected in any dog. In dogs with PLE, focal small intestinal and diffuse small intestinal radiopharmaceutical exudation into the bowel was detected in 2 and 3 dogs, respectively, whereas in 2 dogs, there was disagreement about whether radiopharmaceutical exudation was focal or diffuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  99mTc-labeled HSA scintigraphy was feasible to diagnose PLE in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Engelmann
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ondreka
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Pückler
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohrs
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sicken
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neiger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
keywords: Canine; Chronic enteric disease; Diagnostic imaging; Enteral protein loss; Nuclear medicine