The importance of delayed images in XXXX scintigraphy.

@entity1 @entity360 @entity548
Although radionuclide methods for the detection of @entity360 have been available for more than 20 years, the value of delayed images in @entity360 scintigraphy is still regarded controversially. The aim of this study was to determine the value of delayed images in a group of @entity1 with predominantly low-grade intermittent @entity548 . Eighty-nine consecutive @entity360 scintigraphies of 75 @entity1 were analysed retrospectively. All @entity1 were referred to our department after other diagnostic methods had failed to identify the localization of @entity360 . After the dynamic study, delayed images were acquired for up to 24 h until a @entity548 site was identified. Data on the clinical outcome were available in all but five @entity1 . No @entity1 with a negative scan died from @entity360 . A positive result was found in 41 @entity1 (55%). The scans of 11 of these 41 @entity1 (27%) became positive during dynamic imaging. Four required immediate surgery and, in another @entity1 , surgery was not performed because of diffuse @entity548 of the entire GI tract. One @entity1 died without surgical intervention. Thirty-three scans of 30 of these 41 @entity1 (73%) were positive on delayed imaging only, leading to surgery in 12 individuals. Our findings demonstrate the importance of delayed images in @entity360 scintigraphy. Many of our @entity1 who required surgery had scans that did not become positive for several hours.
