Umbilical Varices: A Potential Pitfall in Gastrointestinal Bleed Scintigraphy Interpretation

Tc-99m labeled red blood cell (RBC) scintigraphy is commonly used in the evaluation of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. On Tc-99m RBC studies, GI bleeding is seen as an initial focus of increased radiotracer activity that on subsequent images increases in intensity and changes position in a pattern that confirms to segments of bowel. We report a case of a patient with multiple episodes of GI bleeding referred to detect the source of bleeding. A Tc-99m labeled RBC scan was performed and the findings showed a focal abnormal hot spot in the mid quadrant of the abdomen, seen promptly in initial dynamic images. Subsequent static and single-photon emission computed tomography-CT (SPECT-CT) images found it to be umbilical varices. Most varices fill promptly as in this case and should not be misinterpreted as a focus of hemorrhage. SPECT-CT should be used in such cases so that that false-positive interpretation can be avoided.