Limitations of indium-111 leukocyte scanning in febrile renal transplant patients

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.146.4.823· OSTI ID:5741631

Sebrechts, C; Biberstein, M; Klein, J L; Witztum, K F

Indium-111-labeled leukocyte scanning was evaluated as a technique for investigating possible abscess as the cause of fever in 10 renal allograft recipients under therapy for rejection, acute tubular necrosis, or urinary infection. The usefulness of the method in this setting was found to be limited by marked nonspecificity of renal, pulmonary, and other focal leukocyte accumulation. Although wound infections were correctly identified, false-positive scans resulted in multiple nonproductive consultations and radiologic procedures (some invasive) and contributed to the decision to perform one negative exploratory laparotomy. Such generalized nonspecificity in this patient population is in distinct contrast to the experience with this diagnostic test in nontransplant patients, and has not previously been reported. Possible explanations and implications of these findings are discussed. Consequently, great caution is recommended in the use of indium-111 leukocyte scans to diagnose infection in febrile renal transplant patients who present in a similar clinical setting.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California Medical Center, San Diego
• OSTI ID: 5741631
• Journal Information: AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Vol. 4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ABSCESSES
DIAGNOSIS
INDIUM 111
DIAGNOSTIC USES
LEUKOCYTES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
ERRORS
FEVER
KIDNEYS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
PATIENTS
TRANSPLANTS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
INDIUM ISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIOISOTOPES
SYMPTOMS
USES
550601* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics