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Use of 99mTc-mononuclear leukocyte scintigraphy in nosocomial fever

B Gutfilen1, S A Lopes de Souza, F P P Martins

  • 1Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Radiologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. bgutfilen@hucff.uffj.br

Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|September 5, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mononuclear leukocyte 99mTc scintigraphy is a highly accurate method for detecting infectious lesions and fever of unknown origin (FUO) in hospitalized patients. This nuclear medicine technique demonstrates significant sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing nosocomial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and infectious lesions pose diagnostic challenges in hospitalized patients.
  • Accurate localization and identification of infection are crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of mononuclear leukocyte-99mTc scintigraphy.
  • To assess its utility in the routine detection of infectious lesions and FUO in inpatients.

Main Methods:

  • Mononuclear leukocyte-99mTc scintigraphy was performed on 87 patients with nosocomial FUO.
  • Patients included those with suspected infectious lesions and those with unknown causes of FUO.
  • Scans were conducted at 1, 3, and 24 hours post-injection of labeled leukocytes.

Main Results:

  • The study reported a sensitivity of 95.8% and a specificity of 92.3%.
  • Positive predictive value (PPV) was 93.8%, and negative predictive value (PPN) was 94.7%.
  • Overall diagnostic accuracy was found to be 94.2%.

Conclusions:

  • Mononuclear leukocyte-99mTc scintigraphy demonstrates high diagnostic performance for nosocomial FUO.
  • The technique shows high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.
  • Nuclear medicine plays a vital role in managing patients with infection and inflammation.

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