Tc-99m leukocyte scintigraphy in infective endocarditis

A 56-year-old man with Staphylococcal aureus septicemia and clinically suspected infective endocarditis was imaged using Tc-99m HMPAO leukocytes. Although abnormal uptake was seen at 3 hours after injection, 24-hour images demonstrated marked concentration of radiolabeled leukocytes in a myocardial abscess and large posterior parietal infarct. In addition, multiple splenic infarcts were shown. The Tc-99m labeled leukocyte scan proved to be an excellent whole body screening procedure for diagnosing sites of infection and infarction in this patient.