technetium-tc-99m-pyrophosphate and Lupus-Erythematosus--Systemic

Topics: Antirheumatic Agents; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiotoxicity; Female; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Middle Aged; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Acute Disease; Female; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Vasculitis

Gastrointestinal vasculitis is a recognized but frequently misdiagnosed complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The authors investigated the usefulness of three-phase Tc-99m pyrophosphate abdominal scintigraphy for identifying areas of vasculitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea or abdominal pain). Among patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, 62 of 82 (75%) patients showed positive scan results, suggesting gastrointestinal vasculitis. Among patients without gastrointestinal symptoms, 6 of 43 (13%) patients showed positive scan results. Although three-phase Tc-99m pyrophosphate abdominal scintigraphy cannot provide a definite diagnosis of vasculitis of the gastrointestinal tract, it is a noninvasive and convenient method for suggesting and monitoring gastrointestinal vasculitis.

Topics: Abdomen; Adult; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Vasculitis

The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early diagnosis of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hip in SLE was investigated. Twenty females with severe SLE were studied prospectively. Each underwent 6-monthly X-rays, technetium -99m (Tc-99m) pyrophosphate bone scans and MRI of the hips over a 3-yr period. AVN was diagnosed in five hips of three patients (15%) during the study period. It was confirmed histologically in three hips of two patients who underwent core decompression. Radiological evidence of AVN was present in two patients at diagnosis. One patient developed progressive radiological changes despite core decompression. Bone scintigraphy was abnormal at some stage in all three patients with AVN however failed to detect the early ischaemic stage of AVN. MRI was the most reliable investigation and was able to detect asymptomatic AVN prior to the appearance of radiological or scintigraphic abnormalities.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Femur Head; Hip Joint; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osteonecrosis; Prospective Studies; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Thirteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 8 patients with polymyositis, and 6 patients with spondylitis ankylopoetica (Bechterew's disease) underwent clinical cardiologic examination and scintigraphy of the myocardium (99mTc-pyrophosphate), ECG, echocardiography, polygraphy, and their blood pressure was taken. The aim of the study was to ascertain how such a combination of non-invasive examinations can help in recognizing a cardiac involvement. In systemic lupus erythematosus cases one or more positive findings were revealed in 9 patients (69%), in 4 patients all examinations were negative (31%). Four patients (50%) with polymyositis had positive findings. In patients with spondylitis ankylopoetica positive findings occurred in 2 cases (33%). The study has shown that a combination of non-invasive cardiologic methods increases the probability of detecting cardiac involvement in systemic connective tissue diseases.

Topics: Cardiomyopathies; Connective Tissue Diseases; Diphosphates; Electrocardiography; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Myositis; Radionuclide Imaging; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate

Topics: Diphosphates; Heart; Heart Diseases; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cardiomyopathies; Diphosphates; Female; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Scleroderma, Systemic; Sugar Acids; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate