what is indium screening and what is it used for?

[brandy29]

[kered]

Hi Brandy29,

Indium screening is a method of detecting whether or not blood platelets are destroyed by the spleen and/liver using a weak isotope of the chemical element. A blood sample is radioactively labelled and the spleen and liver scanned over several days. If all the platelets are destroyed in the spleen then a splenectomy may be a success. If the platelets are destroyed in the liver as well as the spleen then a splenectomy will probably not be successful. It is only a predictive test which will put the odds of success more in your favour. But secondary spleens may develop, or the liver take over the function of the spleen in platelet destruction sooner or later. Success rates quoted by doctors so readily never tell you how long remiss ions last, or about success rates for operations later in life. The success rates of 66 percent should be treated with caution for a very long remission remembering that you still have ITP . Derek

[janran]

Hi Brandy29

Derek is right. I had the indium screening last year and they found out that my liver was involved in the destruction of my platelets so a splenectomy wouldn't have sorted the problem for me. But at least by having it done I avoided having an unnecessary operation which could have left me prone to infection for the rest of my life. I would recommend having it done before agreeing to having your spleen removed. It does involve several trips to hospital for scans (I went every day for a week) but although I was a bit anxious about it, it was fine. I suffered no ill effects at all. Hope this helps Janet