[Diagnosis of thrombosis with a murine anti-thrombocyte antibody (99mTc-BW 4): initial clinical results]

The high incidence of deep venous thrombosis requires for successful therapy a timely and accurate diagnosis. We report early clinical results with a 99mTc-labelled anti-platelet antibody (BW 4) for the diagnosis of thrombosis or for studying platelet kinetics. 10 patients were studied of whom 7 were imaged for the detection of thrombi. 3 deep venous thromboses were diagnosed. 3 patients were sent for diagnosing pathological platelet kinetics; 2 demonstrated a markedly changed platelet biodistribution (increased spleen uptake compared to thrombosis patients). The simple and safe handling of the labelling kit enables early studies (within 30 min). The short physical half-life of 99mTc allows a favourable target (thrombus) to non-target (blood-pool) ratio for diagnosis within 2-6 h after injection. Human anti-mouse antibodies were not found in the serum of 4 patients (blood drawn until 4 weeks after administration). There were no side effects.