IODINE-123-LABELED SERUM AMYLOID-P COMPON ENT SCINTIGRAPHY IN HEMODIALYSIS-ASSOCIATED AMYLOIDOSIS

To assess the iodine-123-labelled serum amyloid P component (SAP) scin tigraphy in patients with haemodialylis-associated amyloidosis. Patien ts: Eight patients with histologically proven beta 2-microglobulin amy loidosis. Methods: Purified SAP was iodinated by a modified iodogen me thod. Whole body data were acquired with a large rectangular field gam ma-camera. Results: In 7 cases, articular uptake was observed in the s ymptomatic joints (shoulders, wrists, knees) or in view of bone cysts (wrists), Among the 3 patients with erosive arthropathy of the hands, only one had positive scintigraphy. None positive scintigraphic image was obtained in the spine or the hip joint. In one patient with multif ocal amyloid joint disease, no positive image was noted. No abnormal v isceral uptake was observed and particularly of the spleen except in o ne patient with liver uptake. Conclusion: I-123 SAP scintigraphy might be not very sensitive in diagnosing beta 2 amyloid deposits. This met hod needs further investigations and particularly in patients undergoi ng haemodialysis for more than 20 years.