RADIONUCLIDE STUDIES IN INTESTINAL TRANSPLANTATION

Three patients who received intestinal allografts were studied using t wo distinct radionuclide investigations. In the first, In-111 or Tc-99 m-labeled leukocyte scanning was performed to assist in the diagnosis of rejection. It was able to demonstrate the occurrence of rejection i n the transplanted intestine, and the response to antirejection therap y. In 1 case, the abnormality on the scan preceded the histological co nfirmation of rejection. The second technique studied mucosal integrit y by serial Cr-51-EDTA/C-14-mannitol permeability tests. These studies demonstrated the initial marked impairment and the slow return to nor mal function of the intestinal mucosal barrier. In 1 patient, this occ urred by 91 days; in another, it took 232 days. A single assay perform ed in the third patient at the time of allograft rejection was also ab normal. Both radionuclide tests were helpful in the care of these comp licated cases.