Scintigraphic findings in schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis mansoni is a tropical parasitic disease caused by a blood fluke which inhabits the portal system of humans. Fifteen pediatric patients with the acute disease were evaluated with liver and spleen scintigraphy (LSS). Clinical history, physical examination, and serum chemistries failed to reveal any other underlying systemic disease. Liver and spleen scintigraphies were performed before therapy, 7 months and 9 years after therapy with oxamniquine. LSS initially showed hepatomegaly in 93percent of the patients. In the first follow up study a reactive spleen was evident in 78 percent of the cases, with an unchanged hepatic image. Long term follow up revealed that from the initially enlarged livers, 93 percent became normal. However, 47 percent of the spleens were abnormal. The scintigraphic changes observed in the liver over the years were those expected for an acute infection. The findings in the spleen might indicate the persistence of an immunologic reaction with a continuous trigger, probably an antibody. These observations suggest that the LSS can be used in the evaluation and follow-up of these patients

Localization of parathyroid lesions: blind study for surgeons

Success in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism rest in the accurate localization and removal of the diseased gland or glands. Computerized tomography and nuclear imaging scans are being used to localize abnormal parathyroid tissue. In the present study, fifteen consecutive patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism were all subjected to these ancillary studies. Results were not revealed to the operating team. In all instances an adenoma was localized during neck exploration. CT Scan failed to localize 73% of the affected glands. Nuclear scans missed almost fifty percent of the parathyroid adenomas. The low yield of these ancillary localizing tests makes them unnecessary in the routine evaluation of patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism