role of [99m]Tc-Ubiquicidin [UBI] and [99m]Tc-IgG scintigraphies in diagnosis of acute appendicitis: a preliminary result

ABSTRACT

Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. In spite of the relatively high rate of negative appendectomy, as a result of miss diagnosis, uncertainty of diagnosis still continues to challenge physicians. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate the role of [99m]Tc-Ubiquicidin [UBI] scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and to compare [99m]Tc-UBI scintigraphy with [99m]Tc-IgG scintigraphy. Twelve patients with right lower quadrant pain and suspicious of acute appendicitis were referred to the nuclear medicine imaging center. Radionuclide imaging was performed with [99m]Tc-UBI in 8 and [99m]Tc-IgG in 4 patients. Ultrasonography, Alvarado scoring and histopathological examinations were also performed as additional diagnostic tests. Reports from [99m]Tc-IgG and [99m]Tc-UBI scintigraphies of all patients were negative. This study may conclude that [99m]Tc-IgG scintigraphy and [99m]Tc-UBI scintigraphy in the detection of appendicitis do not have adequate efficacy. However, in order to better evaluate [99m]Tc-IgG and [99m]Tc-UBI scintigraphy, a comprehensive study on a large number of patients with clinical suspicious of acute appendicitis would be more helpful