Labelled WBC Study

Patient Preparation

No special preparation is required. For patients with inflammatory bowel disease, no barium should be in the GI system. A patient's CBC may be necessary prior to this test to assess severe leucopenia (low white blood cell count).

Exam Procedure

This procedure involves three visits to the Nuclear Medicine Department.

During the initial visit, a sample of blood will be taken from a vein in the patient's arm. The blood is then sent to a nuclear pharmacy where the white blood cells will be extracted and labeled with a radioactive tracer. Approximately 4-5 hours later, the white blood cells will be re-injected into the patient.  Images will be taken the following morning.