THE VALUE OF SODIUM PERTECHNETATE TC99M SCANS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF MECKELS-DIVERTICULUM

A retrospective study was conducted of our experience with sodium pert echnetate Tc99m scans for diagnosing suspected Meckel's diverticula. S eventy-seven cases scanned between 1979 and 1994 were reviewed. Eighty per cent of the group presented with bleeding per rectum, 12% with pa in, and 6.5% with anaemia. Ten scans were positive with 7 true-positiv e and 3 false-positive. Of the 67 negative scans, 3 were false-negativ es. There were six Meckel's diverticuli and four duplication cysts bet ween the true-positive and false-negative groups. All presented with m ajor gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and gastric mucosa was identified on histology. The three false-positive cases had inappropriate laparot omies on the basis of scan results. The test sensitivity was 70% with a specificity of 95%, giving an overall accuracy of 92%. The Meckel's scan is a useful investigation for GI bleeding in children. Surgical i ntervention should be guided by the full clinical picture and the scan , rather than the scan result alone.