Uterine doughnut in early proliferating phase: potential pitfall in gastrointestinal bleeding studies

Ann Nucl Med. 2003 Dec;17(8):685-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02984975.

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman with rectal bleeding was referred to our department for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding study. She was in early post-menstrual period and had stable vital signs. A GI bleeding study with Tc-99m SC revealed uterine blush in the pelvis. The shape of activity and quick fading excluded a GI bleeding. To rule out an intermittent bleeding, patient underwent a second bleeding study with Tc-99m RBC. Serial images showed uterine "doughnut" in the pelvis. The activity neither changed in shape nor showed distal movement with time excluding a GI hemorrhage. Uterus in early proliferating phase could be a potential pitfall in GI bleeding studies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control*
  • Erythrocytes / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Follicular Phase / metabolism*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Technetium Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid / pharmacokinetics
  • Uterus / blood supply
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Compounds
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid