The Diagnostic Significance of Gallium Lung Uptake in Patients with Normal Chest Radiographs

Abstract

Nine patients were encountered with normal chest radiographs, but diffuse bilateral lung uptake of 67Ga-citrate. They were divided into 3 groups. The 1st group consisted of 6 patients who had lymphoma or leukemia and had multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Here, abnormal uptake may have resulted from a toxic effect of the drugs or a low-grade, subclinical infectious process. The 2 patients in the 2nd group were drug addicts and a subradiographic interstitial inflammatory reaction was probably responsible for abnormal uptake. The last patient had diffuse uptake of 67Ga-citrate throughout the lungs 2 wk before lymphomatous infiltrates became radiographically visible.