TC-99M HEXAMETHYLPROPYLENEAMINEOXIME LABELED LEUKOCYTE SCANNING IN THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF CROHNS-DISEASE

The technetium hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime labelled white cell scan (WCS) is not widely used as a screening test for Crohn's disease prima rily because, though sensitive, it is perceived as being insufficientl y specific. A series of 42 patients screened for Crohn's disease by th is method was analysed retrospectively. The sensitivity was 100% and s pecificity 91%. This performance was maintained in a subgroup of these patients with very low prevalence of disease. If appropriate criteria for interpretation are used the WCS is a specific as well as a sensit ive screening test for Crohn's disease.