Failure of Gallium-67 scintigraphy to identify reliably noninfectious interstitial nephritis: concise communication.

Gallium-67 scintigraphy has been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of noninfectious interstitial nephritis. We studied 12 patients with Ga-67 citrate that were diagnosed as having noninfectious interstitial nephritis on renal biopsy. Only seven of the twelve patients with interstitial nephritis on biopsy were scan-positive. Gallium-67 scintigraphy may not reliably identify noninfectious interstitial nephritis.

Scintigraphic detection of osteomyelitis with Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate: concise communication.

Using both Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate and gallium-67 citrate, images of the lower extremities in New Zealand white rabbits were obtained on sequential days after inoculation of tibias with Staphylococcus aureus. Gallium-67 scintigraphy was positive earlier in the course of infection than Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy. In addition to 4-hr Ga-67 scintigrams, 24-hr and 48-hr scintigrams were obtained, contributing substantially to interpretation. However, 72-hr Ga-67 scintigrams contributed little additional information.

Scintigraphic findings in progressive diaphyseal dysplasia.

A 14-yr-old white male with a severe form of progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (Engelmann-Camurati disease) was referred to our institution for evaluation of splenomegaly, which is not usually associated with the disease. Our studies included bone-marrow, and liver-spleen scans. These scintigraphic findings, along with the probable cause for splenomegaly, are discussed.

Predicting the cure of osteomyelitis under treatment: concise communication.

The right tibias of sixty-six rabbits were injected with a suspension of Staphylococcus aureus and sodium morrhuate. After four weeks, 43 rabbits developed osteomyelitis and were started on a course of antibiotics. During treatment a gallium-67 scintigram was obtained every two weeks, for up to 10 weeks. During the treatment weeks, 25 rabbits developed negative gallium-67 scintigrams and were killed. All 25 had negative bacteriologic cultures of the right tibia. At the end of 10 wk after start of treatment, the 18 rabbits with persistently positive scintigrams were killed. Eleven of these had positive bacteriologic cultures of the tibia, and seven were negative. The findings suggest that sequential gallium-67 scintigrams may be useful in predicting the cure of osteomyelitis during treatment.

Abdominal hemangiopericytoma scintigraphically simulating an accessory spleen.

Hemangiopericytoma is a soft tissue tumor composed histologically of pericytes of Zimmerman, which line capillaries. These neoplasms have been observed throughout the body in soft tissue and bone. Presented here is a case of abdominal hemangiopericytoma proven histologically that simulated an accessory spleen on a number of studies including Tc-99m sulfur colloid imaging.

The role of Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate in predicting the cure of osteomyelitis.

Twenty rabbits with chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia were treated for eight weeks and then scanned with Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate. All were sacrificed and bacteriologic cultures of the tibia were obtained. All rabbits had positive Tc-99m MDP scans at the end of treatment despite thirteen cures of osteomyelitis. Eight had negative gallium scans and negative cultures. Five of the twelve positive gallium scans had negative cultures, while seven had positive cultures. Tc-99m MDP alone is not sensitive enough to be useful in predicting the cure of osteomyelitis, and combining Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate scintigrams offers no additional information over the Ga-67 citrate scintigram alone in follow-up of osteomyelitis.

The complementary roles of brain scintigraphy and computed tomography in multiple sclerosis.

Cerebral computed tomography, with and without iodinated contrast, revealed the appearance and evolution of lesions in a 32-year-old man with multiple sclerosis. Two areas were enhanced with contrast, with one showing a mild mass effect and rim of enhancement. Serial brain scintigraphy using technetium-99m glucoheptonate, following the computed tomography, showed the appearance and regression of corresponding regions of increased uptake. Computed tomography one day prior to brain scintigraphy failed to demonstrate a region of increased accumulation of radiotracer. One week later, however, evidence of a corresponding unenhanced defect was noted on computed tomography. Clinical correlation is given additionally.