Cold defect on indium leukocyte scanning of a hepatic abscess

Clin Nucl Med. 1998 Jan;23(1):26-8. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199801000-00008.

Abstract

Abdominal and, specifically, hepatic abscesses have always been difficult to diagnose clinically. The In-111 leukocyte scan has proven to be a valuable modality assisting in the diagnosis of an abscess. The authors present the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with vague clinical symptoms and inconclusive laboratory data for a hepatic abscess. Both the ultrasound and CT scan were nondiagnostic; however, a distinct cold defect within the liver on an In-111 leukocyte scan resulted in a liver biopsy, confirming the presence of an abscess. The potential causes of cold defects on In-111 WBC scanning and the limitations of this modality are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes*
  • Leukocytes*
  • Liver Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Abscess / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Interventional
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals