RSS Feeds
Gallium-67 for Localization of Septic Lesions
- RICHARD L. LITTENBERG, M.D.;
- RICHARD M. TAKETA, M.D.;
- NAOMI P. ALAZRAKI, M.D.;
- SAMUEL E. HALPERN, M.D.; and
- WILLIAM L. ASHBURN, M.D.
Abstract
Gallium-67 citrate was administered intravenously to 12 septic patients. Gamma camera scintiphotos and rectilinear scans showed focal accumulation of the gallium in 11 of the patients. In all 11 the region delineated by scan subsequently proved to be the source of the sepsis. The only patient with a negative scan had typhoid fever with hepatitis and no focal source for sepsis. These results indicate that 67Ga scanning can be a useful, noninvasive method to aid in the diagnostic evaluation of the septic patient.
Article and Author Information
-
▸From the Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego; School of Medicine, La Jolla; and Nuclear Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, San Diego, California
-
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Naomi P. Alazraki M.D., Nuclear Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92161.
