[Scintigraphy using leukocytes marked with 99m-Tc-HMPAO in Crohn's disease]

99mTc-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy was prospectively studied in 20 patients with Crohn's Disease and was compared with radio-endoscopy and with disease activity index (Crohn's Disease Activity Index, ESR, C-reactive protein). Disease localization as defined by the scan was well correlated with those visualized at endoscopy or radiography (rs = 0.90 - p = 0.0001). A scan score was calculated by evaluating uptake of the tracer in 6 bowel segments with lumbar bone marrow activity, correlation with endoscopic score was strong (rs = 0.96 - p < 0.0001). Scan score was well correlated with the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (rs = 0.63 - p = 0.0026), but no correlation was found between ESR, C-reactive protein and scan score. In four patients with ileal localization, scintigraphy was helpful to separate inflammatory from scared stenosis. Scintigraphy with 99mTc-HMPAO appeared to be useful in evaluation of Crohn's Disease activity, and for the diagnosis of complications as stenosis.