[A study of the intestinal 47Ca absorption test employing a scintillation camera]

In order to evaluate the clinical application of the calcium absorption test from the intestine, the intestinal 47Ca absorption test by using a scintillation camera was carried out in our laboratory. The results in the intestinal 47Ca absorption test using a scintillation camera showed a good correlation to the results which were estimated by using an arm counter previously reported by us. The rate of intestinal 47Ca absorption in 8 healthy volunteers (5 male, 3 female, average age: 37.6 +/- 9.5 years) was 52.0 +/- 3.8%, 74.3% in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism 30.4% and 32.7% in two patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism respectively. This method is more easily handled and can be performed for only 4 days in institutes that are set up with scintillation camera without any special preparations, and it is recommended to be of clinical usefulness for the diagnosis of calcium metabolic disorders.