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Gastrointestinal bleeding: an accessory spleen causing a false-positive Tc-99m-sulfur colloid study
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|January 1, 1982
Summary
A Technetium-99m sulfur colloid scan helped locate gastrointestinal bleeding in a child. A repeat scan showed an abnormality later identified as an accessory spleen, not a bleed.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Diagnostic imaging
- Pediatric gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common concern in pediatric patients.
- Technetium-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy is a standard imaging modality for detecting gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Accurate localization is crucial for effective management.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old female presented with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.
- An initial Tc-99m sulfur colloid abdominal scan was normal.
- A subsequent scan revealed a focal upper abdominal abnormality.
Findings:
- The focal abnormality on the repeat scan was initially suspected to represent a small bleed.
- Surgical exploration identified an accessory spleen as the cause of the abnormal scan.
- This highlights a potential pitfall in Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy.
Implications:
- Accessory spleens can mimic gastrointestinal bleeding on Tc-99m sulfur colloid scans.
- Careful correlation with surgical findings is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare anatomical variations in interpreting nuclear medicine studies.