Gastrointestinal bleeDing scintigraphy in the early 21st century

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeDing scintigraphy performed with 99mTclabeled autologous erythrocytes or historically with 99mTc-sulfur colloid has been a clinically useful tool since the 1970s. This article reviews the history of the techniques, the different methods of radiolabeling erythrocytes, the procedure, useful indications, diagnostic accuracy, the use of SPECT/CT and CT angiography to evaluate gastrointestinal bleeDing, and Meckel diverticulum imaging. The causes of pediatric bleeDing are discussed by age.