Radionuclide localization of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

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Abstract
The usefulness of abdominal radionuclide scintigraphy using 99mTc-labeled red cells as a means of monitoring for intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding over 24 h in both control and actively bleeding populations was evaluated. Of 32 patients with documented hemorrhage, 29 had positive scintiscans (sensitivity, 91%; 9% false negatives). Of 18 nonbleeding patients, 17 had negative scintiscans (specificity, 95%; 5% false positives). Of 29 patients, 12 bled from 6-24 h after the study was begun. Scintiscans were positive in patients with transfusion requirements of .gtoreq. 500 ml/24 h. Abdominal scintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled red cells is an effective method of detecting gastrointestinal bleeding.