The measurement of spleen perfusion in man: a non-invasive method using the ratio between Rubidium-81 and its decay product Krypton-81m.

A non-invasive method has been developed for measuring spleen perfusion in man. This involves recording the gamma-ray energy spectra over the spleen following the localisation of Rubidium-81 within the organ by injecting intravenously labelled heat denatured red cells. The spectra are analysed to provide the ratio of Rubidium-81 to its radioactive decay product Krypton-81 m. This ratio is dependent on the rate of perfusion through the organ. The difficulties encountered in applying this steady state method for monitoring tissue perfusion are illustrated and practical means for their solution presented. The results of applying this method to patients with various splenic disorders are presented and compared with those obtained by other workers using different monitoring techniques.