Wound dressing activity mimicking infection on labeled leukocyte imaging

Although labeled leukocyte imaging is an extremely useful technique for the localization of infection, false-positive results in inflammatory conditions where no infection exists have been described. False-positive results secondary to bleeding have also been reported. The authors recently observed intense uptake of labeled cells in the wound dressings of two patients undergoing leukocyte imaging. Repeat imaging after the removal of these dressings confirmed that the activity seen was in the dressings and did not represent focal infection, as originally thought. Based on these observations, the authors think it prudent to remove such dressings before performing leukocyte imaging.