Scintigraphy is an isotope examination which can show the function of a certain organ. The principle is that a radioactive drug is administered to a patient, then scans are taken and according to the accumulation of the radioactive drug in certain organs its function may be measured. In myocarditis, this test is not used very often and if it is, it can confirm the presence of inflammation in the myocardium. However, inflammation of the myocardium can be confirmed also by CMRI these days.  

Picture 21: Heart scintigraphy (author: Sincefalastrum)

Catheterization is used very often at myocarditis, mostly in adult patients. It serves more to exclude other possible causes of the patient´s problems, such as heart attack, rather than to diagnose myocarditis. It is made with a small plastic catheter which is inserted into the heart through an artery in the left groin or left wrist. More frequently it is used during the examination and treatment of ischemic heart diseases (heart attack). In children catheterization is not usually done.

Author of the opening picture: Sincefalastrum