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Background. Static renal scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA is a sensitive method for evaluation of any reduction of cortical mass function. There is not enough reliable references in the literature on scintigraphic reports in terms of objectivity and standardization. The aim of this paper was to assess the differences in interpretation of routine renal scintigraphic findings by nuclear medicine specialists from various institutions (interobserver variability). Methods. Both interobserver variability and agreement in the interpretation were evaluated in two groups. Six observers from four different institutions (group A), and three observers from the same institution (group B) interpreted independently 60 static renal scintigraphy findings obtained by analogous imaging using x-ray films in four standard projections. Using at least two options, seven parameters of renal scintigraphy protocols were analyzed: size (1), uptake (2), outlines (3), scars (4), focal changes (5), relative function (6), and conclusions (7). Results. The interpretations of scintigraphic findings were in accordance in items 1 to 7 within the group A: 62, 42.5, 45, 9, 47, 52, and 34 percent respectively, and within the group B: 72, 55, 59, 22, 62, 60, and 41 percent, respectively. The conformity was more significant in the findings observed in group B as opposed to group A, which was statistically highly significant, especially for the category of scars (p

Background/aims: The aim of the study was the evaluation of the clinical validity of immunoscintigraphy with 99mTc labeled antibodies for the detection of metastases and recurrences of colorectal carcinomas., Methodology: We examined 17 patients with colorectal carcinomas. Scintigraphy was performed with anti-CEA MoAb 99mTc-BW 431/26., Results: Recurrences of carcinomas were detected and confirmed by surgery in 6 patients, recurrences with liver metastasis in 5 patients, and only liver metastases in 3 patients. Planar immunoscintigraphy was positive in 5/8 patients with liver metastases and 8/11 patients with recurrences, whereas in 1/8 liver metastases and 3/11 recurrences were detected only by tomography. In two patients with metastases in the abdominal lymph nodes immunoscintigraphic findings both on planar scintigraphy and tomoscintigraphy were false negative., Conclusions: Immunoscintigraphy with 99mTc labeled antibodies can be useful in the diagnosis of recurrences and metastases of colorectal carcinoma, viability assessment after radiotherapy and in the choice of the adequate surgical treatment.

Background/aims: The aim of the study was detection of abdominal infections by 99mTc- antigranulocyte antibodies., Methodology: Total of 36 patients with clinical suspicion on abdominal or gastrointestinal infections was investigated., Results: There were 23 true positive (TP) findings (one pulmonary abscess, 2 subhepatic abscesses after surgery, 2 perianal fistula, 2 chronic and 4 acute appendicitis, 5 abdominal and 3 pelvic abscesses, 3 M. Crohn, one ulcerative colitis), 9 true negative (TN) (3 tumors of the coecum, 2 tumors of papilla Wateri, 2 gastric carcinoma, 2 colon carcinoma), and 4 false negative (FN) (2 abscesses subphrenic and 2 enterocolic fistula). False positive (FP) findings were not observed. The smallest lesion found was 19x18 mm. SPECT increased the number of TP findings from 17 to 23. Fifteen of 23 infectious of inflammatory lesions could be detected in the early scan. Sensitivity was 85%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 69% and accuracy 89%., Conclusion: According to the present results, scintigraphy with 99mTc antigranulocyte antibodies is a useful method for detection and assessment of exact localization abdominal infections, which is very important for the prompt and appropriate therapy.

Objective: 99mTc-p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) is a new radiopharmaceutical rapidly secreted by the kidneys in a manner consistent with tubular secretion. A comparative study of renal scintigraphy and clearance with 99mTc-PAH, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG,) was performed., Methods: 99mTc-PAH was prepared from a lyophilized kit by addition of sodium pertechnetate in the presence of DTPA. Ten healthy individuals were injected with 110 MBq of 99mTc-PAH. A dynamic study was repeated with 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3 several days later, after a 1-day interval. Clearance measurements were performed in five individuals., Results: The mean values of time-to-peak activity (Tmax) and the time from peak to 50% of peak activity (T(1/2)) for 99mTc-PAH (3.6 +/- 0.9 and 6.9 +/- 2.7 min, respectively) and 99mTc-MAG3 (3.5 +/- 0.8 and 6.8 +/- 2.1 min, respectively) were significantly lower in comparison with those of s99mTc-DTPA (4.9 1.7 and 11.7 +/- 1.9 min, respectively). The mean value of 99mTc-PAH clearance (186.9 +/- 12.2 ml/min) was significantly lower in comparison with MAG3 clearance (303.9 +/- 19.5 ml/min) and significantly higher than DTPA clearance (85.0 +/- 24.1 ml/min)., Conclusion: Our preliminary results indicate the potential usefulness of 99mTc-PAH for routine renal scintigraphy. Owing to its fast kinetics, excretion properties and high-quality images, it could be a suitable substitute for 99mTc-DTPA. 99mTC-PAH clearance values, however, were significantly lower than those of MAG3, and could not be used for the estimation of renal plasma flow.

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of immunoscintigraphy with Tc-99m labeled anti-melanoma antibodies in the diagnosis of primary ocular melanoma. Furthermore, to try to determine whether the treatment of ocular melanoma by contact radiotherapy had an influence on the immunoscintigraphic disease detection., Patients and Methods: Immunoscintigraphy was performed on 17 patients: 9 patients with newly diagnosed choroidal melanoma (group A), 6 patients with choroidal melanoma treated by ruthenium contact radiotherapy (group B) and 2 patients with melanoma conjunctivae (group C). F(ab')2 fragments of 225.28S monoclonal antibody directed against a high molecular weight melanoma- associated antigen (HMW-MAA) were used. Planar scintigtaphy was done 4 hours after intravenous (i.v.) injection of 300-445 MBq of labeled antibodies, in anterior Waters projection, with 95 degrees of cranial tilt of the gamma-camera head. 500,000 counts static images were acquired in 256x256 resolution matrix., Results: All group A patients showed positive immunoscintigraphy. The maximum diameter of these tumors, measured by ultrasound, was between 9 and 18 mm, with maximal prominence between 5 and 10.5 mm. Both patients of group C showed negative immunoscintigraphy, due to the small dimensions of the tumors (less than 2.7 mm). In all 6 patients of group B immunoscintigraphy was negative although the dimensions of the tumors were sufficient enough to be visualized by immunoscintigraphy (diameter between 8.3 and 17 mm and prominence between 5 and 10.3 mm)., Conclusion: According to our preliminary results, we concluded that immunoscintigraphy was useful diagnostic modality in the detection of small intraocular tumors. The negative immunoscintigraphy in patients with tumors treated by contact radiotherapy could be explained by the biological regression of the tumor that precedes regression of its volume. This finding indicates that immunoscintigraphy could be useful in the follow-up of conservatively or surgically treated patients with choroidal melanoma.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the interobserver variability and reproducibility of the renal scintigraphy reports., Methods: The study was prospective performed in 60 99mTc DMSA scintigraphies (116 kidneys), done in one centre, displayed on X ray films as analogue 300 kcounts images in 4 standard projections. Six observers from 4 different centres (group A), including three observers from one institution (group B), were asked to interpret original scans. Seven parameters of scintigraphy protocol were analysed with at least two responses: kidney size (1), uptake (2), outlines (3), scars (4), SOL (5), differential function (6) and conclusion (7)., Results: Among 116 kidneys, concordant results in interpretation of seven points of report from 1 to 7, in the group A were found in 62%, 42.5%, 45%, 9%, 47%, 52% and 34%, and In the group B in 72%, 55%, 59%, 22%, 62%, 60% and 41% respectively. Some improvement in concordant reporting was noted in the group of 3 observers, in comparison of group of all, statistically significant in category of scar reports (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Results suggest to use of standardised criteria and terminology in interpretations, to improve low interobserver reproducibility and objectivity of renal scintigraphy reports, particularly in evaluation of renal scars.

99mTc MAG3 is the radiopharmaceutical agent that provides simultaneous investigation of renal perfusion, functional parenchyma and collecting system. Clearance of MAG3 which is equal to its tubular extraction rate (TER) and other quantitative parameters of renal function can be determined at the same time. The aim of the study was to analyze importance of TER, clearance index (CI) and renal accumulation rate (RA) of MAG3 in the assessment of the functional status of renal transplants. 31 kidney transplant recipients and 14 healthy donors were investigated. Dynamic renal scintigraphy was carried out 20 min. after i.v. injection of 150-220 MBq MAG3. Clearance was determined by single sample volume distribution method. For the calculation of CI and RA counts from transplant region acquired during the second minute of study were used. Results of TER, CI and RA were correlated with blood urea (Pu), serum creatinine (Pcr) and creatinine clearance (Ccr). The sensitivity of TER, CI and RA in well functioning kidney graft as well as in chronic rejection were analyzed. We concluded that: TER, CI and RA are more sensitive in comparison with Pu, Pcr and Ccr in quantitative assessment of renal transplant function; sensitivity of TER is greater than the sensitivity of CI and RA.