Nuclear medicine GI bleed scan

Indications

Technetium-labeled red cell scans (scintigraphy) can be used for very slow GI bleeds, or for bleeding from obscure sites.

There is controversy in the literature currently as to which test, angiogram or tagged RBC scan should be the initial procedure of choice. Often, the decision is based on local availability and consultant preference.

Limitations

Scintigraphy is more sensitive than angiography, and can localize bleeding site at a rate of 0.1 ml/min.