Can 111indium autologous mixed leucocyte scanning accurately assess disease extent and activity in Crohn's disease?

111Indium autologous mixed leucocyte scanning has recently been used for the investigation of Crohn's disease. Nineteen patients had indium scans to assess disease extent and activity. The scans were compared with conventional imaging techniques and indices of disease activity including clinical scores, ESR, CRP, and GI protein loss. In five patients with active disease the scans were negative and overall there was poor correlation between the scan scores and the other indices of disease activity. Indium scanning correctly located extent of disease in only 58% of patients. 111Indium mixed leucocyte scanning may be more suited for the assessment of disease extent and activity in severely ill patients with Crohn's disease.