Article

Detecting protein losing enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy: a novel experience.

Department of Pediatrics, MAMC and allied LN Hospital, New Delhi.
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics (impact factor: 0.52). 10/2002; 69(9):761-4. DOI:10.1007/BF02723686 pp.761-4
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT To evaluate protien using enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy.
Methods for detecting protein loss from the intestine revolve around fecal nitrogen excretion, the clearance of alpha-1 antitrypsin in stools and by endoscopic biopsy.
The diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) can also be established by a scintigraphic method that is noninvasive, simple and requires no patient preparation or motivation. This diagnostic modality can also delineate the site of protein loss, thereby offering a targeted approach, and if need be, surgery. Radiolabelling of a non-protein, noncolloidal, nonparticulate and biofriendly molecule like dextran with Technetium-99m for imaging enteric protein loss was utilized in imaging eight children with PLE.
The results were encouraging. The authors advocate the use of this diagnostic tool in identifying patients with PLE, particularly in the pediatric age group.

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    Article: Pediatric gastrointestinal nuclear medicine.
    James Claude Warrington, Martin Charron
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    ABSTRACT: General localization of gastrointestinal bleeding through the use of labeled red blood cells may be performed in children, or (99m)Tc-pertechnetate may be used if a Meckel's diverticulum is suspected. As in adults, cholecystitis and biliary leak may be assessed in children via (99m)Tc-IDA derivatives. Gastroesophageal reflux can be evaluated by oral consumption of the child's usual diet labeled with (99m)Tc sulfur colloid. For the scintigraphic determination of pulmonary aspiration, a relatively high concentration of tracer within a drop of liquid is placed beneath the child's tongue followed by dynamic imaging of the respiratory tract. Colonic transit scintigraphy can aid in the identification and therapeutic decision-making in patients with functional fecal retention, the most common cause of chronic constipation in children. (18)F-DOPA positron emission tomography is useful for classifying pancreatic involvement in infantile hyperinsulinism as focal or diffuse, thereby differentiating between patients who should receive curative focal pancreatic resection versus those who should receive medical management. Assessment of protein-losing enteropathy can be conducted scintigraphically and, compared with fecal alpha-1 antitrypsin collection, the scintigraphic method can detect esophageal and gastric protein loss. Also, scintigraphic quantification of protein loss can be performed without the requirement for fecal collection. Intestinal inflammation in children with inflammatory bowel disease can be evaluated using (99m)Tc white blood cells. The scintigraphic method is safe, accurate, well-tolerated by children and complementary to endoscopy in most patients.
    Seminars in Nuclear Medicine 08/2007; 37(4):269-85. · 4.31 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

alpha-1 antitrypsin
 
authors advocate
 
biofriendly molecule
 
detecting protein loss
 
diagnostic modality
 
diagnostic tool
 
endoscopic biopsy
 
enteropathy
 
fecal nitrogen excretion
 
imaging enteric protein loss
 
noninvasive
 
nonparticulate
 
patient preparation
 
patients
 
pediatric age group
 
protein-losing enteropathy
 
protien
 
Radiolabelling
 
stools
 
targeted approach