sodium-pertechnetate-tc-99m and Edema

SC-RNV, radionuclide venography by subcutaneous injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate at acupuncture points K-3, a new alternative of lower limb venography, was recently developed in our clinical laboratory. In some of the previous studies, we have proved its superiority to radionuclide venography by intravenous injection. The current investigation was conducted to understand the reliability of SC-RNV in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Fifty-seven cases with lower leg edema, from Nov., 1989 through Oct., 1990, received both SC-RNV and duplex US for causative evaluation. As a result of duplex US, 26 were considered normal (non-DVT), 19 were classified as unilateral DVT, and 12 as bilateral DVT. In nineteen cases (61%, 19/31) with DVT also a XCT and/or a CV (contrast venography) was taken, that showed compatible results. All of the non-DVT had a normal pattern of SC-RNV, all of the unilateral DVT had unilateral impairment of deep vein drainage in SC-RNV, and all of the bilateral DVT had impaired deep venous drainage bilaterally in SC-RNV. It is therefore concluded that SC-RNV is one of the best choices among available non-invasive lower-limb venographic methods.

Topics: Acupuncture Points; Adult; Aged; Edema; Female; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Leg; Male; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Thrombophlebitis

The influence of both age and sex on antigen-induced arthritis in C57Bl/10 mice was studied. Methylated bovine serum albumin was used to induce arthritis in young adult (3 months) and old (18 months) male and female mice. Arthritis became chronic and led to severe joint damage more often in 18-month-old female mice, compared with both young adult female mice and with male mice of both ages. T cell immunity and levels of antibodies against methylated bovine serum albumin were comparable in all groups. Antigen retention in the joint was greater in old compared with young adult mice of both sexes, and could therefore not entirely explain the increased prevalence of persistent arthritis in old females. Our data suggest that female hormones, in combination with age, are important factors in the chronicity and destructive character of this type of arthritis.

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Arthritis; Arthritis, Experimental; Cartilage; Cell Survival; Edema; Estradiol; Female; Immunity; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Osteogenesis; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Sex Factors; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Time Factors

Lymphography and venography were used for diagnosis of radiation edemas of the lower limbs in patients receiving radiation or combined therapy for malignant tumors of the female genital organs. It was established that 99mTc-lymphocys could be used to detect lymphostasis, to determine the level and nature of the lymphatic trochlea. An additional study of the venous blood flow made it possible to determine the type of disorder of the lymph flow. Radionuclide methods of the investigation of the lymph flow and venous blood flow are easy to use, atraumatic and quite informative, therefore they should be recommended for the investigation of patients with radiation edemas of the limbs to determine indications for surgery.

Topics: Edema; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Leg; Lymphoscintigraphy; Radiotherapy; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Veins; Vulvar Neoplasms

A total of 13 technetium 99m (99mTc) pertechnetate image studies were performed on 7 patients with a histologic diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. Five patients with peripheral edema had diffusely increased radionuclide activity in the same areas. The two patients without edema had normal radionuclide images. The primary cutaneous lesions were only identified in one of the patients. These findings suggest that previously reported "occult metastasis" are probably due to peripheral edema in most patients; therefore, the radionuclide study has a much lower sensitivity than has been previously reported.

Topics: Aged; Edema; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m