Technetium-99m-HMPAO labelled leucocytes in the detection and monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease in children

This study was a retrospective evaluation of the use of technetium-99m hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) labelled leucocytes in the investigation of suspected inflammatory bowel disease in children. The images were analysed in 35 children and the findings were compared with the results of endoscopy/biopsy, barium studies and antinuclear cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) serology. The sensitivity of the white cell scan was 83% and the specificity 81%. This compares well with other studies in adults and is superior to barium investigations. The technique is recommended as a first line investigation to detect inflammatory bowel disease with a resultant reduction in the use of endoscopy and barium imaging.