Gallium Scan: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A gallium scan is done to:
- Detect the source of an infection that is causing a fever (called a fever of unknown origin).
- Detect an abscess or certain infections, especially in the bones.
- Monitor the response to antibiotic treatment.
- Diagnose inflammatory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis.
- Detect certain types of cancer (such as lymphoma). A gallium scan also may be done to determine whether cancer has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body, or to monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
| Last updated: | January 17, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology, Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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