Active bleeding in hematoma of the abdominal rectus muscle shown by Tc-99m red blood cell scintigraphy: compared with CT

A patient with cirrhosis of the liver complicated with left rectus muscle hematoma following paracentesis underwent consecutive noncontrast CT images and a novel Tc-99m red blood cell (RBC) bleeding scan. Six liters of clear yellow fluid were withdrawn. Progressive enlargement of a left rectus muscle hematoma was diagnosed by 3 consecutive CT scans and confirmed by a Tc-99m RBC bleeding scan. Although consecutive CT scans showed progressive enlargement of the hematoma, the radionuclide study showed an active bleeding site.