Indium-111 WBC scan

Indium-111 WBC scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses Indium-111, a radioactive isotope, to label white blood cells (WBCs) in the body. This scan is primarily used to detect and locate infections and inflammation in the body.

Procedure

The Indium-111 WBC scan procedure involves extracting a sample of the patient's blood, isolating the white blood cells, and then labeling these cells with Indium-111. The labeled cells are then re-injected into the patient's body. The radioactive isotope allows the white blood cells to be tracked as they move through the body. A gamma camera is used to capture images of the distribution of these cells in the body, which can help identify areas of infection or inflammation.

Uses

The primary use of the Indium-111 WBC scan is to detect and locate infections in the body, particularly in patients who are immunocompromised or have an unexplained fever. It can also be used to detect inflammation, such as in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or vasculitis. In addition, it can help identify the location of abscesses and other types of infections that may not be visible on other types of imaging studies.

Risks and Complications

As with any procedure involving radioactive materials, there is a small risk of radiation exposure. However, the amount of radiation used in an Indium-111 WBC scan is generally considered safe and is carefully controlled to minimize risk. Other potential complications can include allergic reactions to the Indium-111, infection at the injection site, and false positive or false negative results.

See Also

• Nuclear medicine
• White blood cell
• Inflammation
• Infection