Inflammation scintigraphy

What is inflammation scintigraphy?

Scintigraphy is a nuclear medicine procedure used to measure the activity of tissue or specific cells. In inflammatory scintigraphy, inflammatory processes in the body are visualized.

This method uses a radioactive substance, known as a tracer, which accumulates in specific cells and emits radiation detectable by a special camera. Areas where the tracer accumulates more heavily can be identified as sites of inflammation.

Special tracers are used to detect inflammation. These are typically radioactive antibodies targeting inflammatory cells, specifically granulocytes. Granulocytes are specialized white blood cells primarily responsible for combating invading pathogens. As a result, they are often found in large numbers at sites of inflammation.

For inflammatory scintigraphy, antibodies against granulocytes are usually labeled with technetium (99mTc) or indium (111In). Alternatively, white blood cells can be directly labeled with technetium. These radioactive substances then accumulate at the site of inflammation and emit gamma radiation, which is measured and displayed by a camera.

What is inflammatory scintigraphy used for?

Inflammatory scintigraphy is primarily used to locate suspected inflammation in the body or to assess its progression and extent.

One potential application is for fever of unknown origin. In such cases, the patient suffers from an infection and the cause cannot be identified. Inflammatory scintigraphy can help identify the source.

Additionally, inflammatory scintigraphy may be useful after the placement of prostheses. For example, the procedure is used when there is suspicion of an infection involving a vascular or joint prosthesis.

Inflammatory conditions in bones, such as osteitis (bone inflammation) or osteomyelitis (bone marrow inflammation), can also be diagnosed and assessed using inflammatory scintigraphy.

How does inflammation scintigraphy work and what is the procedure like?

Inflammation scintigraphy is similar to classic scintigraphy, in which the metabolic activity of certain tissues is evaluated. The patient is injected with the appropriate tracer through a vein. The tracer contains a radioactive substance that accumulates in certain cells and whose levels of radiation can be measured. In the case of inflammatory scintigraphy, this is usually radioactively labeled antibodies against granulocytes.

A specialized camera moves around the patient to measure gamma radiation. The resulting image of the patient's body shows where the gamma radiation is concentrated. Areas with high tracer uptake emit more gamma radiation and appear as "bright spots" on the images.

Typically, the procedure involves taking images at different time points to evaluate the tracer's distribution over time. In some cases, additional scans may be required on consecutive days. Each imaging session lasts about 30 minutes, during which the patient should remain as still as possible.

What information does inflammatory scintigraphy provide about the inflammatory process?

Inflammatory scintigraphy provides insights into acute inflammations within the body. It allows the localization of granulocyte accumulations and helps assess their extent. This makes it possible to identify the site of an infection and evaluate its spread.

What should be considered before and after the procedure?

Inflammatory scintigraphy typically requires no special preparation from the patient. There is no need to fast before the procedure, and medications can usually be taken as normal.

However, it is important to note that antibiotics can affect the results of the examination. The use of antibiotics in relation to the scintigraphy should be discussed with the treating doctor beforehand.

Following the procedure, the patient can leave the clinic or practice. Hospitalization is typically not necessary. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and empty the bladder frequently after the examination to help eliminate the injected radioactive substance more quickly. The radiation exposure at the doses used is very low, and side effects are rare. In some cases, mild itching, skin irritation, or slight nausea may occur.

Who covers the costs of inflammatory scintigraphy?

Inflammatory scintigraphy is usually included in the service catalogue of both public and private health insurance providers when it is medically indicated. This means that the costs for the examination are fully covered. In case of any uncertainties, it is recommended to consult your health insurance provider in advance.

Which doctors and clinics specialize in inflammatory scintigraphy?

Inflammatory scintigraphy is a specialized diagnostic procedure that can only be performed by expert practices and clinics. Specialists in conducting and interpreting inflammatory scintigraphy are nuclear medicine physicians.

As a patient, you want to rely on the expertise of the treating physicians, which can make finding the right specialist a time-consuming and challenging process. For this reason, we have made it our mission to connect patients with the right professionals.

All the doctors listed here have been carefully reviewed and selected. They are recognized experts in their field with extensive experience in performing and interpreting inflammatory scintigraphy. You can quickly and easily book an appointment with one of our specialists and experience their expertise firsthand.

Sources:

• Kahl-Scholz, Vockelmann: Basiswissen Radiologie, Nuklearmedizin und Strahlentherapie. Springer-Verlag. 2017.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nuklearmedizin e.V. - https://www.nuklearmedizin.de/leistungen/leitlinien/html/
• Amboss, Nachschlagewerk für Mediziner. - https://next.amboss.com/de/article/Mn0MFg?q=szintigraphie#Z75f4305cca3db318253951dfed049bfa