Selenomethionine Se 75 thymus scans in myasthenia gravis

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Trans. Am. Neurol. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7100317

Toole, J F; Cowan, R; Maynard, D; Witcofski, R L; Janeway, R

In 1966, Toole and Witcofski introduced selenomethionine Se 75 mediastinal scanning as a diagnostic test for thymomas. Since then we have performed such scans on patients with myasthenic syndrome. Because the technique is atraumatic, safe, and accurate, it can be performed on critically ill myasthenics. Two hundred and fifty microcuries of selenomethionine Se 75 is injected intravenously. Within 1 hour the mediastinum from the suprasternal notch to the ziphoid process is scanned, using a 2 x 3 inch scanner. Delayed scans have been made in a few instances but they have not increased the number of positive cases. Selenomethionine Se 75 is incorporated into tissues undergoing rapid protein synthesis such as thyroid, pancreas, liver, and lymphomas. Of the 34 mediastinal scans performed on myasthenics between 1966 and December 31, 1974, 4 were positive for thymoma. In addition, there was a positive scan with uptake in an area of atelectasis of the lung adjacent to the mediastinum. Of interest is the fact that 1 patient with carcinoma of the lung had a positive scan over the lesion. In 13 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia the mediastinal scans were negative. In another patient with a mediastinal mass noted on chest x-ray, a variety of differential diagnostic possibilities were considered, such as pericardial cyst, dermoid, and aneurysm. A selenomethionine scan was strongly positive, suggesting a thymoma which subsequent surgery confirmed.

• OSTI ID: 7100317
• Journal Information: Trans. Am. Neurol. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Neurol. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 100; ISSN TANAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AMINO ACIDS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEST
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LIPOTROPIC FACTORS
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDIASTINUM
METHIONINE
MUSCLES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
SELENIUM 75
SELENIUM ISOTOPES
THYMUS