Infected Hepatic Metastasis Role of ln-111 Leukocyte Scintigraphy

Abstract

Infection, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neoplasm, may present a diagnostic dilemma in these individuals. Localizing signs may be absent; fever and leukocytosis may be due to infection, tumor, chemotherapy, or a combination of these factors. Anatomic imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and ultrasound, may not differentiate between infection and tumor. Ga-67, a useful radionuclide for localizing infection in the general population, is less than optimal in the patient with neoplasm because many tumors, as well as infections, are gallium avid. This study presents a 57-year-old woman in whom ln-111 labeled leukocyte scintigraphy was used both to diagnose an abscess superimposed upon a hepatic metastasis from colon carcinoma and to monitor the patient's response to treatment.