SUMMARY Operative small bowel resection specimens received over a period of 16 years were reviewed to assess whether any intestinal disease could be directly attributed to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Seven cases of intestinal disease associated with the use of NSAID were identified, all of which occurred in the final six years of the survey, which may reflect the increasing use of these compounds. A spectrum of patterns was found from multiple pathognomonic ileal mucosal diaphragms to broad strictures similar to those seen as a complication of enteric potassium. It seems likely that the formation of diaphragm lesions requires an additional factor, but wlhat is not known as yet is whether the effects of NSAID are local or systemic.

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A prospective study was carried out on 13 patients with ulcerative colitis and 11 with Crohn's disease to compare the value of radioimmunoscintigraphy involving 99mTc-labeled antigranulocyte monoclonal antibody (BW 250/183) with that of hexamethylpropyleneamine-oxime-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy. The extent of the process (various segments of the small bowel; ascending, transverse, and descending colon; and rectosigmoideum) was determined in 115 segments by means of radioimmunoscintigraphy and leukocyte scintigraphy and compared with the results of enteroclysis and colonoscopy in 64 segments. The scintigraphic activity, calculated by summing the segment scores, was compared with clinical and laboratory parameters. During radioimmunoscintigraphy, the 24-hr fecal excretion of the antibody was measured. The two methods revealed a different extent of the process (P<0.01). The segmental sensitivity and specificity were 63% and 96% in radioimmunoscintigraphy, and 87% and 94% in leukocyte scintigraphy. Leukocyte scintigraphy proved to be superior in cases with small intestine involvement, but the methods are of similar value in cases with large bowel involvement. The scintigraphic activity determined by radioimmunoscintigraphy and the fecal excretion of monoclonal antibody correlated with seven parameters, while that determined by leukocyte scintigraphy did so with 12 variables. Both methods are of similar value for the detection of large bowel involvement, but leukocyte scintigraphy was the better method for determination of the involved segments in the small intestine. The scintigraphic activity proved a useful parameter, correlating well with the clinical and laboratory variables.

Leukocyte scintigraphy (LS) was performed in 20 pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD: 10 with ulcerative colitis, 2 with indeterminate colitis, and 8 with Crohn disease) in different stages of clinical activity. Leukocytes were separated from 15 to 60 ml venous blood and were labeled in vitro with [99mTc]HM-PAO. The segmental extent (small intestine; ascending, transverse, and descending colon; and recto-sigmoideum) of the process was determined by LS. The uptake of each bowel segment was scored in relation to the bone marrow uptake. The scintigraphic activity, calculated by summing the segment scores, was compared with laboratory parameters. The mean labeling efficacy was 76% (60-86%). The segmental extent of the process determined by LS was compared with the results of barium enema or colonoscopy with regard to 32 bowel segments. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of LS were 93, 88, and 91%, respectively. Two extraintestinal manifestations (abdominal abscess and joint involvement) were also detected by LS. These lesions were verified by computed tomography (CT) (abscess) and on the basis of the clinical outcome (arthritis). The scintigraphic activity correlated with the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (r = 0.82, p < 0.001), the alpha 2-globulin level (r = 0.63, p < 0.02), the sedimentation rate (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), and the fS iron level (r = -0.66, p < 0.005). LS is applicable in pediatric patients. The method is an excellent technique for assessment of the extent of IBD in children. Extraintestinal manifestations of IBD can also be investigated by LS. The scintigraphic activity is a useful parameter for determination of the activity of IBD in children.

Technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime labelled leucocyte scintigraphy (LS) was performed on 45 occasions in 30 patients with ulcerative colitis and on 53 occasions in 34 patients with Crohn's disease. Serial images were taken following re-injection of the labelled leucocytes. The segmental extent of the inflammation and the grade of the leucocyte uptake were calculated, and compared with the laboratory results and colonoscopy findings. The sensitivity and specificity of LS proved higher in ulcerative colitis (87% and 93%) than in Crohn's disease (53% and 89% in cases with large intestine involvement, and 82% and 100% in cases with small intestine involvement). The activity of the process determined by LS correlates with the alpha 2-globulin level (r = 0.47), fibrinogen level (r = 0.50), fS iron level (r = -0.57), sedimentation (r = 0.44), leucocyte count (r = 0.38), platelet count (r = 0.34) and Best index (r = 0.31) in ulcerative colitis, but not in Crohn's disease.