Tc-99m dextran and Tc-99m HIG findings in patients with ulcerative colitis

Various radionuclide methods have been studied for the evaluation of the disease activity and extent of ulcerative colitis and other protein-losing enteropathies. Recently, Tc-99m dextran and Tc-99m human immunoglobulin (HIG) have been used to detect inflammation and protein loss into the intestine, but only a few studies have been reported with these agents.

In this study, Tc-99m dextran and Tc-99m HIG were used to evaluate disease activity and extent in patients with ulcerative colitis. These agents were used in 12 patients with active disease and in five patients in remission, and five healthy control participants also were included.

Large bowel activity was detected in 11 of the 12 patients with active ulcerative colitis using Tc-99m dextran and in 10 patients using Tc-99m HIG. Fifty-eight bowel segments were found to be active with endoscopy, 39 with Tc-99m dextran, and 31 with Tc-99m HIG. No intestinal activity was detected in the control participants. Grade 1 activity localization in the large bowel was detected in three patients with ulcerative colitis in remission using Tc-99m dextran and in one patient using Tc-99m HIG.

Tc-99m dextran is more sensitive for detecting disease activity and extent than is Tc-99m HIG.