Evaluation of microcirculation in Buerger's disease using 201thallium/99mtechnetium macroaggregated albumin scintigraphy.

In the current study, 10 patients with Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) and seven control patients with atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) were evaluated for microvascular disturbance. After exercising for 1 min, patients were injected with 37 MBq 201thallium (201Tl) intra-arterially, and anterior planar images of the feet and whole body images of the lower extremities were taken. The same procedure was repeated after 1 week using 185 MBq 99mtechnetium macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA). Rectangular regions of interest were drawn on the 201Tl and 99mTc-MAA images, and 201Tl/99mTc-MAA uptake ratios were calculated. 201Tl/99mTc-MAA ratios of the toes of those with Buerger's disease were significantly lower than those of ASO cases, whereas no significant difference was found for the lower limbs and feet. These findings may be explained by disturbances of microvascular regulation observed in Buerger's disease.