Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging in acute cholecystitis.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a new nuclear imaging Infecton (Tc-99m ciprofloxacin) for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

Sixteen patients thought to have acute cholecystitis were included in this study. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made based on clinical symptoms and ultrasonographic and pathologic findings.

RESULTS

The 16 patients were composed of 12 acute and 4 chronic cholecystitis patients. Twelve patients with acute cholecystitis were image-positive, including one false-positive. Four patients with chronic cholecystitis were image-negative, of whom three were true-negative. This nuclear imaging had a sensitivity of 91.7%, a specificity of 75%, a positive-predictive value of 91.7%, and a negative-predictive value of 75%.

CONCLUSION

Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging is easy to perform and applicable for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.