[Radionuclide scintigraphy in etiologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding in children].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of radionuclide scintigraphy in etiologic diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding in children, especially in detecting the cases of Meckel's diverticulum or double intestine.

METHODS

99mTc-pertechnetate abdominal scintigraphy was undertaken in 26 children with history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Additional 99mTc-RBC scintigraphy was performed in 12 cases who gave a negative 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy as they had the signs of active bleeding. The final diagnosis of all cases was proved by surgery and pathology or endoscopy.

RESULTS

In detecting Meckel's diverticulum and double intestine, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 99mTc-Pertechnetate scintigraphy were 85. 7% (12/14), 91.7% (11/12) and 88.5% (23/26) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Radionuclide scintigraphy may be the first procedure to explore the etiology in the lower digestive tract.