Sodium pertechnetate scintigraphy in detection of Meckel's diverticulum: Is it usable?

Objective: To evaluate the results of Tc-99m-Na-pertechnetate scintigraphy in children presenting with symptoms suspicious of Meckel's diverticulum (M D). Method: Retrospective study. A total of 55 Tc-99m-Na-pertechnetate scin tigraphies in 53 patients were compared with the results from surgery and o ther diagnostic procedures and available section reports during the period from 1 Jan. 1981 to 1 Jan. 1996. Results: There were four positive scintigr aphies. Three patients underwent a laparotomy and an MD was found. The four th patient was not operated on and no rebleeding was seen after an observat ion period of 4 years. A total of 51 scintigraphies were negative. In this group two cases with an MD were found at a later laparotomy for other reaso ns. We found a sensitivity of 60% on Tc-99m-Na-pertechnetate scintigraphy i n the detection of MD, a specificity and accuracy of 98% and 87%, respectiv ely Conclusion: The Tc-99m-Na-pertechnetate scintigraphy has only minor dia gnostic value in diagnosing patients suspected of having an MD. Scintigraph ic examination should be replaced by diagnostic laparoscopy, which has been reported to be safe and effective and offers the possibility of laparoscop ic resection of the MD.