The Uterine Blush

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To determine the presence, prevalence and clinical importance of 99mTc pertechnetate uterine uptake, a retrospective analysis of 71 Meckel''s scans [used for the early detection of Meckel''s diverticulum] was undertaken. Specifically, each study was evaluated for the presence of a focal accumulation of radiotracer cephalad to the bladder. Patients received an i.v. dose of 150 .mu.Ci/kg of 99mTc pertechnetate. Each study consisted of 15 one min anterior serial gamma camera images and a 15, 30 and 60 min anterior, right lateral and posterior scintiscan. Menstrual histories were obtained from all patients except 2. No males (33/33), nor premenstrual (13/13), menopausal (4/4) or posthysterectomy (2/2) patients revealed a uterine blush. Eleven of 15 patients (73%) with regular menses demonstrated a uterine blush. They were in the menstrual or secretory phases of their cycle. Four demonstrated no uterine uptake, had regular periods, but were in the proliferative phase of their cycle. Two with irregular periods and 1 with no recorded menstrual history manifested the blush. Radiotracer should be expected in the uterus during the menstrual and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. It is a manifestation of a normal physiologic phenomenon and must be recognized to prevent false-positive Meckel''s scan interpretations.