Tc-99m RBC imaging for demonstrating intermittent intestinal bleeding.

A case of intestinal bleeding caused by multiple ulcerations near the terminal ileum is presented. Abdominal scanning with Tc-99m tagged red blood cells (Tc-99m RBC) demonstrated the intermittent bleeding in short intervals. Selective angiography did not demonstrate the bleeding site. Exploratory laparotomy showed 3 ulcers on the ileum at a site near the terminal ileum, with bleeding from one site. Tc-99m RBC abdominal scanning was very useful in this case for localization of the site of gastrointestinal bleeding before laparotomy.