Artifactual focal lung activity with indium-111 labeled leukocytes. A technical pitfall.

A case of artifactual multifocal lung activity presumably due to emboli of In-111 labeled leukocytes is described. These may have been caused by infusion through an intravenous line containing glucose, or by a minute amount of blood clotted in the needle. When administration through an existing intravenous line is necessary, flushing with saline before and after cell infusion is recommended to avoid this potential pitfall. A fresh needle also should be used for each venipuncture attempt.