HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Oates, E. Articles by Becker, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Oates, E. Articles by Becker, J. L.

Technetium-99m-Sulfur Colloid SPECT Imaging in Infants with Suspected Heterotaxy Syndrome

Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

Correspondence: For correspondence or reprints contact: Elizabeth Oates, MD, New England Medical Center #228, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111.

ABSTRACT

For the evaluation of a variety of hepatosplenic disorders, SPECT complements planar ^99mTc-sulfur colloid liver/spleen imaging. By isolating small, ectopic or poorly functioning spleen(s) from overlying or adjacent liver, SPECT imaging should facilitate identification of splenic tissue in infants with suspected heterotaxy syndrome. Methods: During a 10-yr period, 10 planar-only and 9 planar-plus-SPECT liver/spleen scans were obtained from 15 infants, 13 of whom were less than 1 mo of age at first examination. Four of the planar-only group had follow-up planar-plus-SPECT imaging. Scintigraphic diagnosis regarding presence of splenic tissue was corralated with clinical diagnosis. Results: Thirteen infants had splenic tissue; two were asplenic. Planar-only imaging provided correct diagnoses in six [four with, two without spleen(s)] but was negative or equivocal in four infants. Planar-plus-SPECT imaging was positive in all in whom it was performed; moreover, in 4/13 infants (31%), splenic tissue was documented only by SPECT imaging. Conclusion: Particularly when planar views are inconclusive, SPECT imaging is invaluable for identification and localization of functioning splenic tissue in infants with suspected heterotaxy syndrome.

Key Words: technetium-99m-sulfur colloid • infantile polysplenia/asplenia syndromes • single-photon emission computed tomography • heterotaxy syndrome