[A case of pulmonary embolism diagnosed by 111In labeled platelet scintigraphy]

Although the role of 111In platelet scintigraphy is established in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, its indication in pulmonary embolism remains uncertain. We performed platelet scintigraphy in a patient with recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism, which revealed abnormal accumulation in the left hilar region. Pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy performed at the same time did not show perfusion defect. However, pulmonary angiography and thromboembolectomy demonstrated recurrent embolus in the hilus. This suggested that platelet aggregation in the left hilus shown by platelet scintigraphy was indeed related with recurrence of pulmonary embolism, and platelet scintigraphy is useful in detecting new development of thrombus in patient with recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism.