Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding

Indications:

• To detect sites of active GI bleeding prior to angiography and/or surgery.

Principle:

• The patient's red blood cells are labelled with a radiotracer. Sites of active bleeding can be identified on serial views of the abdomen and pelvis.

Preparation and Procedure:

• No preparation required. The study should be performed while the patient is actively bleeding.
  Images are acquired for approximately 1 hour and then at intervals up to 24 hours after injection, or until bleeding is detected.

Comments:

• Although the test is sensitive and can detect intermittent bleeding, it may not always localise the exact anatomical site. SPECT/CT can be used to provide anatomical localisation when bleeding is detected.

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