TC-99M-HSA-D SCINTIGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROTEIN-LOSING GASTROENTEROPATHY DUE TO SECONDARY AMYLOIDOSIS

Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves the gastrointestinal tract a nd may result in ulceration, hemorrhage, and protein-losing enteropath y. We report a patient with severe hypoalbuminemia in whom endoscopy r evealed widespread ulceration of the small intestine. The protein-losi ng site was detected by Tc-99m-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid hu man serum albumin (Te-99m HSA-D) scintigraphy. This evidence suggests that the ulcers and mucosal lesions associated with amyloidosis contri bute to abnormal protein loss from the gastrointestinal tract.