Gastrointestinal haemorrhage scintigraphy in Australia: acquisition and processing parameters

Introduction: Despite clear guidelines provided by the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), there is no universally accepted consensus on acquisition and processing protocols for gastrointestinal haemorrhage scintigraphy. Moreover, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest strategies currently in use may be sub optimal, potentially contributing to decreased diagnostic utility of the procedure. Methodology: The study was a self administered questionnaire of current protocol and procedures employed for scintigraphic evaluation of acute LGIH across Australia. A structured questionnaire was employed in order to collect unambiguous answers for quantitative evaluation. The sampling frame included 136 Nuclear Medicine departments across Australia. Department identity remained anonymous. Results: This survey indicated that in Australia only 38.5% (37/96) of departments satisfy the recommendations detailed by the SNM (95% CI: 28.5-48.5%) which represents only 45.3% (455/1005) of all studies performed (95% CI: 42.2- 48.4%). Conclusion: In Australia, less than 50% of studies evaluating LGIH in Nuclear Medicine are performed adequately. One might postulate that poor technique will decrease diagnostic utility and, thus, decrease demand for the procedure explaining, in part, the decreasing clinical utility of this excellent procedure. (author abstract)