Persistent lung uptake in the redistribution phase of Tl-201 chloride myocardial SPECTs--a sign of severe pulmonary edema: a case report.

Assessment of thallium (Tl)-201 chloride myocardial stress and rest single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) includes left ventricular defects, left ventricular dilation, and pulmonary uptake. Lung uptake is associated with severe coronary artery disease or reflects transient left ventricular dysfunction and provides poor long-term prognosis. On redistribution imaging, lung activity should be absent or decreased relative to the myocardial activity. A patient with persistent Tl-201 uptake upon redistribution imaging due to lung edema secondary to congestive heart failure is reported. One should be aware that pulmonary edema/congestive heart failure can cause an increase in pulmonary uptake which persists in redistribution imaging.