Gallium 67 scanning in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

67Ga scans were performed on both knees of 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There was a significantly higher level of 67Ga accumulation in those knees with clinically active synovitis (P < 0.001). Synovial white cell concentration was also elevated in the group with active synovitis. The white cell concentration correlated with the 67Ga knee/femoral ratio at the P < 0.001 level. 67Ga activity in the synovial fluid was predominantly in the supinate and activity was also present in the synovium. Apparently, 67Ga uptake occurs in rheumatoid joints and reflects the degree of synovial inflammation.