gallium scan

gallium scan,

a nuclear scan of the total body performed after an IV injection of radioactive gallium, a radionuclide that concentrates in areas of inflammation and infection, abscess, and benign and malignant tumor. It is useful in detecting metastatic tumor, especially lymphoma.

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gallium

a chemical element, atomic number 31, atomic weight 69.72, symbol Ga. See Table 6.

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gallium-67

a radioisotope of gallium having a half-life of 78.1 hours; used in the imaging of soft tissue tumors.

gallium nitrate

used in the treatment of hypercalcemia.

gallium scan

a nuclear medicine procedure using the radioisotope gallium-67 in the form of gallium citrate. Gallium has a high affinity for certain tumors and also for non-neoplastic lesions, such as abscesses. Gallium scans are particularly useful in the staging of lymphomas, and in localizing occult abscesses.

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gallium scan

Nuclear medicine A radioscintillation imaging method in which 67gallium citrate–T_1/2, 25 days, is injected IV, and images of its pattern of distribution are obtained; GS is used to stage lymphoma, lung CA, hepatoma, melanoma, metastases–to bone, brain, lung, head & neck, GI and genitourinary neoplasia