[Scintigraphy using 99m-TC HM-PAO labeled autologous granulocytes in the diagnosis of Whipple's disease].

Whipple's disease is a systemic disease, mainly localized in the small intestine, that even today shows some difficulties about its etiopathogenesis and diagnosis. The surveys usually used in the diagnosis, among which the biopsy is an indispensable test, have some limits particularly in follow-up. The 99mTc-HM-PAO labelled granulocytes scintigraphy may be a useful alternative method in the evaluation of location and extension of the Whipple's disease. Furthermore, as it is not an invasive method, 99mTc granulocyte scintigraphy may be an important means in establishing the term of the therapy mainly when other methods are not able to exactly confirm the remission of the disease.