[Hepato-splenic scintigraphy in finding indications of bacterial endocarditis. Preliminary report]

Hepato-splenic scintigraphy with 99mTc-S-colloid was performed in twelve patients with bacterial endocarditis. These images showed that the size of the liver varied from normal to a severe hepatomegaly, depending on the presence of congestive heart failure. Intrahepatic distribution of the radiocolloid was slighty irregular in all cases. The spleen was conspicuously enlarged, and showed irregular distribution of the radiopharmaceutical. In some cases intrasplenic concentration defects caused by infarcts, abscesses or cysts, were observed. The relative uptake of radiocolloid by the spleen, varied from hypo- to hyperconcentration according to the degree of lymphoid hyperplasia caused by the infection. In two cases, both with congestive heart failure, concentration of the radiocolloid was evident in the bone marrow. The scintigraphic pattern observed in these patients with bacterial endocarditis can be easily differentiated from that caused by only congestive heart failure, which is similar to the observed in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and/or portal hypertension.