What does a gallium scan detect?

A gallium scan identifies the cells that are dividing most quickly in your body. It can help detect some cancer cells. It can also help show cells that are rapidly reproducing or responding to an infection somewhere in your body. People with lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) may need gallium scans.

How does the gallium scan work?

A gallium scan is a nuclear medicine test. It can find cancer, infection and inflammation in the body. During a gallium scan, a healthcare provider injects a small amount of radioactive material into your bloodstream. Then a special camera takes pictures of the gallium inside your body.

What is the difference between a bone scan and a gallium scan?

For example, in a bone scan, the tracer is put into a vein in your arm about 2 hours before the test begins. For gallium scans, the tracer is given a few days before the test.

Who invented the gallium scan?

Gallium, discovered in 1875 by Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran, was first considered for diagnostic and therapeutic medical use in the 1940s by the research of H. C. Dudley and his co-workers. Gallium scans were initially used for localizing tumors and abscesses.

What kind of scan is a gallium scan?

A gallium scan is a medical imaging test. Your healthcare provider may recommend it to look for and help treat certain health conditions. It is a type of nuclear medicine scan. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials to create images of the body. These materials make radiation.

When to return to hospital for gallium scan?

Depending on your hospital and the reason for doing the test, you may be asked to return for the scans to be done one day, two days, or three days after the injection. When it is time to do the scanning, you lie on a couch while the gamma camera detects the gamma rays coming from your body.

Do you need to fast for a gallium scan?

There’s no need to fast. And no medications are required for this test. In some cases, you may need to use a laxative or an enema to clear your bowels before the scan. This will prevent stool from interfering with the test results. Notify your doctor if you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or you’re nursing.

Is it safe for a child to have a gallium scan?

It may not be safe for the developing child. The scan uses a small amount of radiation. Although large amounts of radiation can increase your risk of cancer, the exposure from a gallium scan is very small. It’s less than what is used for many types of X-rays.

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