technetium-tc-99m-sulfur-colloid and Muscular-Diseases

Topics: Connective Tissue Diseases; Defecography; Deglutition Disorders; Digestive System; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Esophagus; Food; Gastric Emptying; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Isotope Labeling; Muscular Diseases; Peristalsis; Radioactive Tracers; Radionuclide Imaging; Reference Values; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Conventional methods for exploration of the esophagus (radiology and fibroscopy) are not sufficiently sensitive to provide a precise diagnosis of minor lesions. New techniques have been developed that enable improved evaluation of the physiopathology of gastro-esophageal reflux and other esophageal motor disorders. These include esophageal manometry, pH monitoring, the association of these two procedures, and finally scintigraphy. Manometry is the most effective method of assessing esophageal motility, and it can assist in the diagnosis of motor disorders related to reflux, of dyskinesias such as in mega-esophagus, and of collagen diseases. The most reliable method for diagnosing gastro-esophageal reflux is by means of pH monitoring. More detailed physiological and physiopathological data can be obtained by combining the two investigational methods. Scintigraphy can sometimes determine the responsibility of pulmonary disorders in the development of reflux.

Topics: Collagen Diseases; Diverticulum, Esophageal; Esophageal Diseases; Esophagogastric Junction; Esophagus; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Manometry; Muscular Diseases; Pressure; Radionuclide Imaging; Sulfur; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Topics: Bone Marrow; False Positive Reactions; Humans; Indium Radioisotopes; Infections; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular Diseases; Postoperative Complications; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Spinal Fusion; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

In-111 WBC scintigraphy supplemented by visual comparison with concurrent Tc-99m SC bone marrow imaging is used to identify infection within the marrow-containing skeleton. This retrospective study demonstrates the value of the computer-generated WBC/SC bone marrow subtraction image. Thirty-one patients with various conditions (postsurgery with or without orthopedic hardware, bacteremia with persistent fever, joint arthroplasty, and miscellaneous) underwent combined WBC/SC with bone marrow subtraction imaging. Infection was present in 21 of 36 possible sites (14 osseous, 7 soft tissue; 8 acute, 13 chronic). The bone marrow subtraction image identified two of these sites, which were not appreciated by visual inspection. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for bone marrow subtraction were 95%, 93%, and 94%, respectively, as compared to 86%, 93%, and 89%, respectively, for the visual assessment of WBC and SC images. Computer-assisted subtraction imaging improves overall accuracy and enhances diagnostic certainty of combined WBC/SC scintigraphy for infection in the marrow-containing skeleton.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections; Bone Diseases; Bone Marrow; Child; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Indium Radioisotopes; Leukocytes; Male; Muscular Diseases; Radionuclide Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Subtraction Technique; Surgical Wound Infection; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid