S J Wang1, S C Tsai, J L Lan. 1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy is a noninvasive method for detecting protein-losing gastroenteropathy. METHODS: Seven patients with protein-losing gastroenteropathy were evaluated with Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy. In addition, Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy was used to monitor the effect of treatment in five of these seven patients. The scintigraphic results were compared with serum albumin levels. RESULTS: All seven patients had positive results in the pretreatment images. Changes in scintigraphic findings in the five treated patients correlated well with changes in serum albumin level. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy is useful not only for diagnosing protein-losing gastroenteropathy but also for monitoring the effect of treatment.
PURPOSE: Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy is a noninvasive method for detecting protein-losing gastroenteropathy. METHODS: Seven patients with protein-losing gastroenteropathy were evaluated with Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy. In addition, Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy was used to monitor the effect of treatment in five of these seven patients. The scintigraphic results were compared with serum albumin levels. RESULTS: All seven patients had positive results in the pretreatment images. Changes in scintigraphic findings in the five treated patients correlated well with changes in serum albumin level. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy is useful not only for diagnosing protein-losing gastroenteropathy but also for monitoring the effect of treatment.