A study of the morphology of the normal pancreas using Se75 methionine photoscanning

75Se-methionine uptake in the pancreas. An experimental investigation in mice

Measurements of the uptake of 75Se-methionine in the abdominal visceral organs of mice indicate that amino acids (Aminosol) significantly increase the accumulation of the isotope in pancreas. Similarly, a beneficial effect if observed on the distribution of activity between pancreas and blood, while withdrawal of food adversely affects the uptake in the pancreas and gastro-intestinal tract.

75 Se-selenomethionine scanning in the diagnosis of tumours of the pancreas and adjacent viscera: the use of the test and its impact on survival

The results of pancreatic scanning with (75)Se-selenomethionine in 393 carefully documented patients over a two-year period are presented. On follow up 50 patients had operatively proven malignant tumours in the gland and a further 22 had similar tumours in adjacent organs, clinically mimicking carcinoma of the pancreas and in many cases causing scan abnormalities. Five patients had pancreatic adenomata. Remote tumours rarely affected the scan. Examination of the role of scanning in patients with neoplastic disease revealed that the test was effective in screening and in detection; false negative diagnoses were rare. By contrast, survival following diagnosis was extremely poor with only 8% of pancreatic tumours resectable and 50% metastasized at the time of surgery. Causes of pancreatic dysfunction, other than pancreatitis or carcinoma, which were associated with abnormalities on the scan are described and general aspects of reporting on the scan are discussed. The patterns seen in abnormal scans, while non-specific with regard to aetiology, were anatomically meaningful and useful adjuncts to the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. A normal scan excluded pancreatic cancer with a probability greater than 95%.

Radio-isotope scanning in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease

The results of 117 pancreatic scans using selenomethionine 75 are presented in conjunction with a report on a series of experiments undertaken to investigate the metabolism of selenomethionine. The total plasma radioactivity and plasma protein-bound activity in bile were monitored within the period of time taken by a pancreatic scan. A further investigation was also undertaken in order to find out into which plasma protein selenomethionine became incorporated during this time. The result of these experiments are presented with a discussion on the clinical application of pancreatic scanning and the usefulness of prescan preparations of the patient.