Hemophilic bleeding evaluated by blood pool scanning

Thromb Haemost. 1981 Jun 30;45(3):208-10.

Abstract

The technique of blood pool scanning was used to examine 15 hemophilic subjects. Employing an in vivo method for erythrocyte labeling with Technetium-99 m, a dynamic perfusion sequence is obtained using a scintillation camera positioned over the area to be examined. This demonstrates the vascularity of the tissue. Subsequently, equilibrium blood pool images of the area are obtained and analyzed with a densitometer to assess relative regional blood volume. In patients who were not bleeding but had chronic arthropathy, vascularity was not increased, and the blood volume of comparable joints was similar. By contrast, marked increases in vascularity and image density were observed in studies of acutely bleeding joints. Chronic hemarthroses were associated with persistent, but less marked increases in joint perfusion. Transient increases in joint vascularity were demonstrated after insertion of knee prostheses. In a patient with a thigh hematoma, the dimensions of the hemorrhage were clearly delineated. Since only a tracer dose of nuclide is infused intravenously, there are no allergic reactions or other side effects of the procedure. Blood pool scanning is a safe, non-invasive technique that augments clinical and radiographic evaluations, and provides a new dimension in the assessment of the hemophilic patient.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bioprosthesis
  • Child
  • Hemarthrosis / complications
  • Hemarthrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemophilia A / complications
  • Hemophilia A / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Knee / blood supply
  • Knee / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Joint / blood supply
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
  • Technetium
  • Thigh / blood supply
  • Tin Polyphosphates

Substances

  • Tin Polyphosphates
  • Technetium
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m