Abdominal scanning using autologous human red blood cells labeled with Tc-99m: detection of a horseshoe kidney

Kurume Med J. 1990;37(1):45-7. doi: 10.2739/kurumemedj.37.45.

Abstract

A horseshoe kidney was incidentally diagnosed while performing an abdominal scan using autologous human red blood cells labeled with Tc-99m (Tc-99m RBC) on a patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding. This patient repeatedly tested positive on occult blood stool examinations. In the first scintigram, an increase in well-defined activity was found on the right side under the liver. This could have been caused either by bleeding of the gastric antrum or the duodenal bulb. A second abdominal scan with Tc-99m RBC revealed faint radionuclide accumulation in the shape of a horseshoe with symmetrical, well-defined activity. However, the well-defined activity decreased with time on both images, and on this basis a horseshoe kidney was diagnosed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / abnormalities*
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Technetium* / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Technetium