MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Gallium (Ga.) scan

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Gallium (Ga.) scan

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition How the Test is Performed How to Prepare for the Test How the Test Will Feel	Why the Test is Performed Normal Results What Abnormal Results Mean Risks Considerations References

Illustrations

Gallium injection

Alternative Names Return to top

Liver gallium scan; Bony gallium scan

Definition Return to top

A gallium scan is a test that uses radioactive material to look for infection in the body. It is a type of nuclear medicine exam.

How the Test is Performed Return to top

The health care provider will tie a rubber band (tourniquet) around your upper arm, and then inject a radioactive material called gallium into a vein.

A special camera detects where the gallium has gathered in the body. If the doctor thinks you have an acute inflammatory disease, the scan is done 4 - 6 hours after the injection. Otherwise, the scan is taken 24 - 48 hours (occasionally 72 hours) after the injection.

You must lie still during the scan, which takes 30 - 60 minutes.

See also:

Gallium scan of the lung

How to Prepare for the Test Return to top

The night before the test, a laxative may be necessary to clean out the bowel so that stool does not interfere with the test. An enema may instead be given 1 - 2 hours before the test.

Food and liquids are not restricted. You must sign a consent form. Remove all jewelry and metal objects.

How the Test Will Feel Return to top

The enema may be uncomfortable but does not cause pain. The injection will feel like a sharp prick, and the site may be tender to the touch for a few minutes.

The hardest part of the scan is holding still, as the scan itself is painless. Before the scan, some adjustments may be made to make the patient more comfortable.

Why the Test is Performed Return to top

This test may be performed in the search for an unknown source of fevers. Gallium collects in areas of inflammation, which may be due to an abscess or tumor. Combined with other imaging, such as CT, hidden disease may be detected.

Normal Results Return to top

Gallium normally collects in bones, the liver, spleen, the large bowel, and breast tissue.

What Abnormal Results Mean Return to top

Gallium detected outside the normal areas (areas of increased uptake) can indicate infection, inflammation, or possibly tumors, including Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Risks Return to top

There is a minimal risk of radiation exposure (less than with x-rays or CT scans). Radiation exposure of any sort is not usually recommended for pregnant or nursing women or for young children unless the benefits of the test exceed the risks.

Considerations Return to top

Not all cancers show up on a gallium scan.

References Return to top

Society of Nuclear Medicine. Procedure guideline for gallium scintigraphy in inflammation. 3rd ed. Reston, VA: Society of Nuclear Medicine; June 2, 2004: 5.

Update Date: 1/24/2007

Updated by: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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