Abstract
99mTc-labelled heparin was used to examine acute deep-vein thrombosis in the leg. 99mTc-heparin (4 mCi) was injected into a dorsal foot vein. Rapid-sequence scintiphotos were taken of the lower legs and thighs. One hour after the injection, images were taken to reveal possible late accumulation of 99mTc-heparin in the thrombi. The venous outflow was assessed by a strain gauge technique. X-ray phlebography was performed on the same or the subsequent day. All patients having an abnormal X-ray phlebography also had an abnormal isotope phlebography. Acute deep-vein thrombosis in the leg can be diagnosed reliably with the combined method of 99mTc-heparin scintigraphy and measurement of venous outflow.
Late accumulation of 99mTc-heparin in thrombi of the deep veins was seen in 6 of 12 patients with acute thrombosis. Patients with chronic changes were difficult to evaluate, since the resolution of the scintillation camera does not allow detection of minor changes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes RW (1972) Non-invasive quantitation of maximum venous outflow in acute thrombophlebitis. Surgery 72:971–979
Gibbs NM (1957) Venous thrombosis of the lower limbs with particular reference to bed-rest. Br J Surg 45:209–236
Kulkarni PV (1978) Technetium-laballed heparin: preliminary report of a new radiopharmaceutical with potential for imaging damaged coronary arteries and myocardium. J Nucl Med 19:810–815
Paterson JC, McLachlin J (1954) Precipitating factors in venous thrombosis. Surg Gynec Obstet 98:96–102
Rosenberg RD (1975) Actions and interactions of antithrombin and heparin. N Eng. J Med 292:146–151
Sevitt S, Gallagher N (1961) Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Br J Surg 48:475–489
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Utne, H.E., Nielsen, S.P., Klemp, P. et al. A gamma camera method for the evaluation of deep-vein thrombosis in the leg. Eur J Nucl Med 6, 237–240 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251344
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251344