A radiologist trained in nuclear medicine or a nuclear medicine specialist will interpret the exam results and compare them to other diagnostic tests. It is normal for gallium to accumulate in the liver, spleen, bones, breast.
The scan should reveal no infection or pathology.
There is a minimal risk of exposure to radiation from the gallium injection, but the exposure from one gallium scan is generally less than exposure from x rays.
A gallium scan of the body is a nuclear medicine test that is conducted using a camera that detects gallium, a form of radionuclide, or radioactive chemical substance.
An abnormal concentration of gallium in areas other than those where it normally concentrates may indicate the presence of disease. Concentrations may be due to inflammation, infection, or the presence of tumor tissue.
There is generally no aftercare required following a gallium scan. However, women who are breastfeeding who have a scan will be cautioned against breastfeeding for four weeks following the exam.
Gallium scan
Most gallium scans are ordered to detect cancerous tumors, infections, or areas of inflammation in the body. Gallium is known to accumulate in inflamed, infected, or cancerous tissues. The scans are used to determine whether a patient.
If the technetium heart scan is normal, no technetium will show up in the heart.
No
The scan will reveal details, such as location, about an infection in the patient's body.
Children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are only given gallium scans if the potential diagnostic benefits will outweigh the risks.
For the study itself the patient lies very still for approximately 30-60 minutes. A camera is moved across the patient's body to detect and capture images of concentrations of the gallium. The camera picks up signals.