Inflammatory lesions localized with technetium Tc 99m-labeled leukocytes.

Canine leukocytes were labeled with a gamma-ray emitting isotope by permitting them to phagocytize technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid particles in vitro and removing the unphagocytized particles by washing the cells. The labeled cells were reinfused intravenously into the donor dogs. Scintigraphic scans were performed 4 and 24 hours following the leukocyte infusion. In animals with sterile and infected intramuscular abscesses and pulmonary infections, it was possible to localize the lesions by scintigraphic scanning four hours following administration of labeled leukocytes. In one experiment, a positive scan was observed 24 hours after the leukocyte infusion. It was also shown that labeled leukocytes tend to concentrate in abscess fluid. These results suggest that technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid-labeled leukocytes may be a useful diagnostic tool in localizing abscesses and inflammatory lesions in humans.