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Intrathoracic abnormalities demonstrated by technetium-99m sulfur colloid imaging
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|November 1, 1986
Summary
Technetium-99m sulfur colloid imaging can incidentally detect intrathoracic pathology, particularly cardiomegaly, in patients with liver dysfunction. This nuclear medicine technique visualizes abnormalities as distinct areas of radioactivity or lack thereof.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Radiology
Background:
- Scintillation cameras now allow imaging of the lower thorax during liver and spleen scans.
- Intrathoracic abnormalities can manifest as areas of increased or decreased radiotracer uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidental detection of intrathoracic pathology during technetium-99m sulfur colloid liver-spleen imaging.
- To correlate findings with other diagnostic modalities and clinical data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 18 patients undergoing Tc-99m sulfur colloid imaging over one year.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical data, other diagnostic tests, and autopsy results.
Main Results:
- Intrathoracic pathology was identified in 18 patients, including bacteremia (2), pleural effusion (2), lung pathology (1), and cardiomegaly (13).
- Hepatic dysfunction was present in most patients, facilitating visualization of intrathoracic abnormalities.
- Photopenia suggested pleural effusion; increased radioactivity or photopenia indicated cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic ratio >50%).
Conclusions:
- Tc-99m sulfur colloid liver-spleen imaging can incidentally reveal intrathoracic pathology in patients with hepatic dysfunction.
- Cardiomegaly is the most commonly identified intrathoracic abnormality.
- Nuclear imaging of the liver and spleen offers a valuable, albeit incidental, method for thoracic disease detection.