Scintigraphic localization of pulmonary bleeding using technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid: a preliminary report.

Pulmonary scintigraphy using technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid was performed to identify areas of bleeding in eleven patients with hemoptysis. In four patients, scintigraphic studies accurately located sources of hemorrhage; in one patient indirect evidence for the source of hemorrhage was noted. This preliminary study indicated that technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid pulmonary scintigraphy may be a helpful, noninvasive method to determine sites of pulmonary bleeding in hemoptysis.