99m-technetium-HmPAO-labelled leucocytes in the diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis

Eighteen patients with abdominal symptoms clinically resembling acute colonic diverticulitis were studied with 99mTc-labelled leucocytes on average 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The diagnosis of diverticular disease was confirmed in all cases by means of barium enema or sigmoidoscopy. The leucocyte scan was positive in 13 patients, nonspecific in four and unclear in one patient. The diagnostic possibilities in acute colonic diverticulitis are discussed.