SCINTIGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL-BLEEDING WITH TC-99(M)-DEXTRAN

Intravenously administered dextran is used clinically as a plasma expa nder. The aim of this study tvas to assess the use of Tc-99(m)-dextran in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) blood leaks. Twenty-one pat ients with GI blood loss underwent Tc-99(m)-dextran scintigraphy, 17 o f whom were found to be positive. Pathologic or Tc-99(m)-RBC (red bloo d cell) blood pool correlation was possible in 15 eases, while 2 were unconfirmed. No case had a positive Tc-99(m)-RBC blood pool study and a negative Tc-99(m)-dextran study. Images obtained with Tc-99(m)-dextr an were generally better than, those with Tc-99(m)-RBC. This agent may have several other advantages over Tc-99(m)-RBC blood pool and Tc-99( m)-sulphur colloid scintigraphy for detecting GI blood loss.