Monoclonal antigranulocyte antibody imaging in inflammatory bowel disease: a preliminary report

The 99Tcm-labelled antigranulocyte antibody BW250/183 has been used in the detection of intestinal inflammation in patients with active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Planar images were obtained up to 24 h after intravenous injection of the antibody. Eight out of nine patients with ulcerative colitis and six out of seven patients with Crohn's disease gave positive images. In 11 patients distribution of the inflammation was confirmed by barium studies, colonoscopy or surgery, whilst in two the antibody scan suggested more extensive disease than barium enema. None of the patients had any adverse reactions. Imaging with BW250/183 appears to give an accurate indication of the extent of inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.