Imaging of inflammatory processes with labeled cells

Radionuclide techniques for localizing inflammatory processes had relied heavily upon ⁶⁷Ga-citrate until McAfee and Thakur described the technique for the radiolabeling of leukocytes with ¹¹¹In-oxine. Since their initial description in 1976 there has been continued development of the radiopharmaceutical, as well as clinical efficacy. At present ¹¹¹In-labeled leukocytes continue to be handled as an investigational new drug but this has not greatly limited its clinical availability. Indium-111 leukocytes are the agent of choice for evaluation of patients with fever of unknown origin, osteomyelitis, and prosthetic graft infections; and preliminary data shows great promise in the area of detecting reocurrence of inflammatory bowel disease. This article attempts to review currently accepted uses of ¹¹¹In leukocytes as well as potential areas of application.