[99mTc-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy in inflammatory intestinal disease]

Eighteen patients, suspected of active inflammatory bowel disease, were investigated. The 99mTc-HMPAO-leucocyte scintigraphy was evaluated using the results of the simultaneous clinical examinations, which included clinical and biochemical parameters, small intestinal series, colonoscopy and, in two patients, operation, as reference. In agreement with the clinical examinations, the leucocyte scintigraphy indicated active inflammatory bowel disease in 14 of the 18 patients. The leucocyte scintigraphy disclosed inflammation in all of the 19 bowel segments, in which the clinical examinations indicated active inflammation. In three patients with Crohn's disease the scintigraphy indicated more extensive inflammation. A correlation between the scintigraphic activity and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index was found. However, the leucocyte scintigraphy did not seem useful as a disease activity index. The 99mTc-HMPAO-leucocyte scintigraphy seemed especially useful in severely ill patients and in patients suspected of relapse.