Imaging of abdominal infection using 99m Tc stannous fluoride colloid labelled leukocytes

Nucl Med Commun. 2002 Feb;23(2):153-60. doi: 10.1097/00006231-200202000-00007.

Abstract

Radiolabelling of leukocytes using labelled phagocytosed technetium-99m (99mTc) colloidal radiopharmaceuticals has been reported as a method for imaging infection. This in vivo study compares the use of leukocytes labelled using 99mTc stannous fluoride colloid with leukocytes labelled using indium-111 (111In) oxinate. A total of 26 patients (10 male, 16 female; mean age 52 years, range 23-88 years) referred for the investigation of possible infection were studied using both leukocyte labelling methods simultaneously. Images were acquired 4h and 24h after re-injection of the labelled cells. The images were evaluated qualitatively by two nuclear medicine physicians. The results show a high degree of concordance between the techniques: 11 of the 28 images showed a focus of leukocyte accumulation with both techniques at 24h, and 13 out of 28 showed a normal appearance at 24h with both methods. In four cases the results were discordant; the 99mTc stannous fluoride colloid labelled leukocytes gave a false positive appearance at 24h in three patients and a false negative in one. In conclusion, colloid labelling of leukocytes offers a sensitive method for the detection of infective foci coupled with the high resolution imaging offered by 99mTc. It has the advantage over other in vitro labelling methods of being a simpler, non-labour-intensive procedure employing whole blood, and its use should be considered by departments that have limited facilities for in vitro leukocyte labelling.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Abscess / blood
  • Abdominal Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organometallic Compounds / blood
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Oxyquinoline / analogs & derivatives*
  • Oxyquinoline / blood
  • Oxyquinoline / pharmacokinetics*
  • Phagocytosis / physiology
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / blood
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics*
  • Technetium Compounds / blood
  • Technetium Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Tin Fluorides / pharmacokinetics*
  • Whole-Body Counting

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Compounds
  • Tin Fluorides
  • technetium Tc 99m tin fluoride colloid
  • indium oxine
  • Oxyquinoline