Spleen Scan: Below is the information I... - ITP Support Assoc...

ITP Support Association

4,122 members2,095 posts

Spleen Scan

ITP_September_2014 profile image

Below is the information I received regarding a spleen scan.

The typical platelet study entails the following:

1. We take a small volume (approx 50 ml) of the patient's blood on DAY 1

2. We isolate the patient's platelets aseptically, and label them with a small amount (4 MBq, or 108 micro-Curie) In-111

3. We inject this into the patient's antecubital fossa (arm vein).

4. We take images at 1hr, 4hr (on DAY 1), 24hr (on DAY 2) and 48hr (on DAY 3) post-injection, and also take a small blood sample at each time point

5. The nuclear medicine consultant (sometimes in conjunction with haematologists) then compares the pictures and blood 'clearance' (pharmacokinetics) of the patient's platelets, and the study findings (report) is sent to your referring doctor within 3 days of the study.

The risk of such a study is small. The "effective dose" for a platelet study is 1 mSv (staff working in radiology departments are not allowed to receive more than 20 mSv body dose per year, for example). This 1 mSv effective dose is equivalent to 50 chest x-rays, or about a third of the natural background radiation received in a year, or an increased risk of 1 in 77,000. A full-body CT scan typically has an effective dose of 15 mSv, thus 15 times more radiation than the platelet study. I guess another risk (much more difficult to quantify) is the prick of the needle, but I am sure the patient has 'suffered' that many times before.

Written by
ITP_September_2014 profile image
ITP_September_2014
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
7 Replies
Eileen-Emily profile image
Eileen-Emily

Thank you for such a clear and concise explanation of this test.

rjsmyth profile image
rjsmyth

Should make this a sticky?

debra091000 profile image
debra091000

Where is this test available? I was told it's not available in the United States.

ITP_September_2014 profile image
ITP_September_2014 in reply to debra091000

I was told they can do the test upstate New York but its not reliable. My Dr. recommends going to St. Barts Hospital in London. I plan to have it done September 26th.

debra091000 profile image
debra091000 in reply to ITP_September_2014

I haven't found anywhere in the US that does it.

debra091000 profile image
debra091000 in reply to ITP_September_2014

Hi, Did you have the test done? How did it go?

ITP_September_2014 profile image
ITP_September_2014 in reply to debra091000

Thanks for following up. I had the scan done in London Dec 14th. I found out I'm not a candidate for splenectomy. My next step is trying out Protalex. Its new so i'll be in a study starting next week.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Our Dog has Chronic ITP

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to tell the story of Izzie, our loving, faithful, and sweet dachsund who...

ITP Spleen removal

So, I was diagnosed with ITP October 2014. Ever since I have had a single figure platelet count,...

Is it safe to just take Promacta 50mg every other day since my platelets are high and I don't have a lower dose.

Hi All, I am at 311,000 platelets on 50mg promacta since 11/23 before that on 75mg Promacta. I am...

ITP , 6000 - 23000 platelet count, Age 69

Need proper diagnosis for my problem. 1. Initially when hospitalized not able to speak (may be...

you can get a indium labelling scan done in aberdeen

my 11 year old son had his spleen taken out in feb last year ,today he has had a relapse he came...