Speed of accumulation of 111In-labelled granulocytes in focal non-osseous inflammatory processes

Using a method of 111In-oxine granulocyte labelling in diluted plasma, we performed 162 scintigraphic studies in 159 patients with suspected non-osseous infection. We obtained a positive predictive value of 82%, and a negative predictive value of 97%, i.e. the method is very sensitive, albeit less specific. Sequential imaging showed around 50% of the scintigrams to turn positive at 30 min after the injection, the most rapid accumulation being seen in cases of superficial soft tissue infections and in pulmonary and pleural infections, cerebral abscesses showing a rather sluggish accretion of activity, urinary tract infections, abdominal abscesses and bowel inflammation accumulating activity at an intermediate rate. Our results indicate that the described method is sensitive, and that the sequential scintigraphic approach allows an early diagnosis in most cases, and facilitates the interpretation of delayed scans.