Gallium scan

Gallium scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive material to examine the body and diagnose various diseases. The radioactive material, gallium, is injected into the body and accumulates in areas of disease or injury, allowing doctors to see these areas more clearly.

Procedure

The gallium scan procedure involves injecting a small amount of radioactive gallium into the body. The gallium travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in certain tissues, including those affected by inflammation, infection, or cancer. After the gallium is injected, the patient waits for a few hours to a few days to allow the gallium to accumulate in the body. Then, a special camera is used to detect the radiation emitted by the gallium and create images of the inside of the body.

Uses

Gallium scans are used to diagnose a variety of conditions, including:

• Cancer: Gallium scans can help detect certain types of cancer, including lymphoma and lung cancer.
• Infection: Gallium scans can help identify areas of infection in the body.
• Inflammation: Gallium scans can help detect areas of inflammation in the body.

Risks

Like all medical procedures, gallium scans carry some risks. These may include:

• Allergic reaction: Some people may have an allergic reaction to the gallium.
• Radiation exposure: Although the amount of radiation used in a gallium scan is small, there is still a risk of radiation exposure.

Preparation

Before a gallium scan, patients may need to:

• Avoid certain medications: Some medications can interfere with the results of a gallium scan.
• Fast: Patients may need to avoid eating or drinking for a certain period of time before the scan.

See also

• Nuclear medicine
• Radiation therapy
• Medical imaging

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