Heidi S. Weissmann

The Radionuclide Detection of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Sites

A retrospective review of two years experience with radionuclide screening to detect lower gastrointestinal bleeding sites was conducted at New Yorks Montefiore Medical Center. Of 82 studies performed in 63 patients, 13 identified active bleeding sites. Only three of eight angiograms obtained in these 13 patients were positive. Thirteen contrast angiograms were performed in the group of 50 patients with negative radionuclide studies of which ten were negative and one was equivocal. The results of this study suggest that the Tc–99m sulfur colloid study for active lower gastrointestinal (Gl) bleeding is an effective screening procedure. Positive studies help determine which vessel to catheterize selectively if an angiogram is to be performed. If vascular ectasis is still suspected following a negative radionuclide study, contrast angiography can be more efficaciously performed on a nonemergent basis.

Detection of postcardiotomy bacterial pericarditis with gallium-67 citrate.

A 46-year-old man who had undergone apical cardiac aneurysmectomy with a ventriculotomy graft and implanted automatic cardioverter-defibrillator electrodes, presented with fever, left-sided pleuritic chest pain, and a draining sinus. A Ga-67 scan was performed to aid in determining whether the infection was limited to the chest wall or if it had penetrated deeper to the cardiac structures. Uptake of gallium within the cardiac region, in association with minimal rib uptake of Tc-99m MDP, strongly supported the existence of infection within the pericardium. CT scan demonstrated a pericardial collection which under CT-guided aspiration proved to be purulent. Definitive surgical drainage was performed, and the patient was discharged 4 weeks postoperatively. Ga-67 imaging can provide an accurate and relatively rapid means of localizing infection in the postcardiotomy patient. A thorough bibliography of pericardial gallium uptake is provided.

Choledochal cyst complicated by acute cholecystitis and bypass obstruction: diagnostic role of Tc-99m-HIDA cholescintigraphy

An unusual case of malignant degeneration of a choledochal cyst is presented. The presence of acute cholecystitis with the cystic duct originating from the cyst as well as the subsequent obstruction of the cyst-jejunal surgical anastomosis was readily detected with Tc-99m-dimethyl-iminodicetic (Tc-99m-HIDA) cholescintigraphy.

Scintigraphic features of cavernous transformation of the portal vein.

A case of portal vein obstruction with cavernous transformation is presented, in which findings on both Tc-99m-sulfur colloid and HIDA liver scintigrams suggested the diagnosis. These findings included a focal hyperconcentration of colloid on the former and notching of the common bile duct as well as “draping” of the right hepatic duct on the latter. All of these findings were shown at angiography and surgery to be secondary to extensive venous collateral vessels related to portal vein obstruction.