Which condition is best diagnosed with a Tc pyrophosphate (PYP) scan?

• A. Alzheimer's disease
• B. Cardiac amyloidosis
• C. Cirrhosis
• D. Pneumonia

Answer: (B)

Technetium pyrophosphate (PYP) scanning is primarily used for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid deposits in the heart tissue, which can lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy. Tc PYP has a high affinity for amyloid fibrils, making it an effective imaging agent for this specific pathology.

In a PYP scan, the labeled pyrophosphate can bind to the amyloid deposits, allowing for visualization of the amyloid load within the heart. This is particularly beneficial in differentiating cardiac amyloidosis from other causes of heart failure, aiding in appropriate management and treatment decisions.

Other conditions like Alzheimer's disease, cirrhosis, and pneumonia do not have a specific association with Tc PYP imaging. While there are other imaging modalities available for Alzheimer's and cirrhosis, they do not involve the use of Tc PYP scans. Pneumonia is primarily diagnosed through clinical evaluation and chest imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT scans, not through radiopharmaceutical studies aimed at amyloid detection.