CHRONIC MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA AS A CAUSE OF ABNORMAL BOWEL UPTAKE OF LABELED LEUKOCYTES

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia is often difficult to diagnose. ii high l evel of clinical suspicion is needed and further investigation require s invasive procedures. We present a case where weight loss and abdomin al pain were dominant features and initial interpretation of a labelle d leucocyte scan suggested inflammatory bowel disease. Subsequent inve stigations excluded this possibility and chronic ischaemia was confirm ed at autopsy. Positive small bowel images using Tc-99(m)-HMPAO labell ed leucocytes may indicate chronic ischaemia.