Protein-losing enteropathy demonstrated on Tc-99m HSA

Abstract

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is defined as a condition in which excess protein loss into the gastrointestinal lumen is severe enough to produce hypoproteinaemia. Previously reported procedures for the detection of protein loss have many limitations (such as rapid reabsorption of the radiolabel, unstable protein binding both in vivo and in vitro, and limited availability) and were, moreover, cumbersome as well as unpleasant, as they involved 24-hour urine and stool collection. The study was also prone to error owing to the long urine and stool collection period.