DECREASED SENSITIVITY OF EARLY IMAGING WITH IN-111 OXINE-LABELED LEUKOCYTES IN DETECTION OF OCCULT INFECTION - CONCISE COMMUNICATION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (3) , 303-306
Abstract
Imaging with leukocytes labeled with In-111 oxine is a sensitive technique for detecting sites of occult infection. Traditionally, imaging is performed 24 h after injection. A prospective study of 35 patients (40 studies) with possible occult infection was undertaken to see whether a 24-h delay in imaging is really necessary. Patients were imaged at 1-4 h and again at 24 h after injection. The early images had a sensitivity of only 33%, compared with 95% for the 24-h images. Of the 7 studies that were positive on both early and delayed images, 71% had more intense uptake at 24 h. There were no false-positive early images. Imaging 1-4 h after injection with In-111 oxine-labeled leukocytes apparently has a low sensitivity for detecting occult infection. A positive early image is specific for a site of infection.