Demonstration of different patterns of musculoskeletal, soft tissue and visceral involvement in melioidosis using 99mTc stannous colloid white cell scanning

Melioidosis is an infectious disease that can present with multiple foci of disease involvement. Assessment of disease extent can be difficult, especially in musculoskeletal, visceral and soft tissue infection. This study examined the usefulness of white cell scans in this condition. Tc stannous colloid white cell scanning was performed in 21 patients with culture-proven melioidosis. Scan results were compared with clinical assessment and correlated with other forms of imaging. White cell scans demonstrated all but one of the clinically apparent sites of musculoskeletal, visceral and other soft tissue infection. Unsuspected disseminated soft tissue lesions were seen in two patients, including femoral node uptake in both, and these patients subsequently presented with relapsing musculoskeletal disease. Unsuspected musculoskeletal disease was found in one patient. Clinically suspected musculoskeletal disease was accurately excluded by white cell scan in another patient. The results of white cell scanning were also examined in disease of other viscera. Renal and prostatic disease were visualized. Unsuspected parotid involvement was found in two patients. Only one of two spinal lesions was visualized. Pulmonary disease was not necessarily associated with abnormal uptake. White cell scanning is a quick and effective way of assessing the extent of musculoskeletal, visceral and soft tissue disease in melioidosis.