Splenic Scan

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Indication:

• Identification of accessory splenic tissue following splenectomy.

Principle:

• The patient's red blood cells are labelled with a radiotracer, then the sample is heat damaged so that the RBCs are removed by the spleen on re-injection.

Procedure:

• Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis takes place about 30 minutes after re-injection.

Comments:

• Splenic tissue is easily identified as an area of high RBC activity or sequestration. SPECT/CT is used to precisely localize splenic tissue.