201Tl myocardial imaging in a cardiac rejection episode

Serial myocardial imaging using thallium Tl 201 was performed in the early follow-up of two patients with orthotopic cardiac transplantation. In one patient, non-homogeneous uptake, small defects and an irregular myocardial edge were observed during a moderately acute rejection crisis revealed by endomyocardial biopsy. The abnormal gammagraphic findings and histological changes were coincident and exhibited a parallel reversal. We emphasize the connection between these two events. The mechanisms which could explain these phenomena are discussed.