Diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis by 99mTc-human serum albumin microcolloid

99mTc-human serum albumin microcolloid (HSAC) was evaluated for diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the legs of 38 consecutive patients. Five and thirty minutes after IV injection, the 99mTc-HSAC activity in both legs was measured by external counting using a collimated NaI (T1)-detector. The relative predominance of 99mTc-HSAC activity in the diseased leg was calculated. Phlebography was performed as a control after the 99mTc-HSAC test. In our hands the non-invasive 99mTc-HSAC test appeared to be rapid, easy to perform and convenient to the patient. The test showed a high sensitivity (11/13) and a low specificity (10/20) compared with phlebography. No adverse reactions were found. The results seem promising and further studies are in progress to establish the value of the 99mTc-HSAC test in screening for DVT.