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Procedure:

• You have been referred for a Gallium-67 Study (or Gallium Scan) in which imaging is done 48 hours after a small injection of tracer.

• A Gallium Scan is sensitive in showing up tumors, inflammation, osteomyelitis involving the spine, imaging older and chronic infections that may be the cause of a fever of unknown origin (PUO).

• The test involves a small injection of  “tracer” (like having a blood test).

• The tracer used is called Gallium-67 Citrate. There are rarely any side effects with this injection.

• Images are done 48 hours after the injection, of the area causing you problems. This is done using a Gamma Camera (1) and usually takes 30 minutes.

• Often, we require to image the problem area in 3D 'after' reviewing the first images. This is called SPECT/CT (2) imaging.

• With SPECT/CT imaging, the same Gamma Camera simply rotates around your body, taking images all the time. This can take 15-30 minutes.

• You receive a slight radiation dose by having a Gallium Scan with SPECT/CT ~ up to 9.2 times your yearly background radiation (3).

 

Patient Preparation:

• If you are pregnant, trying to fall pregnant or breast feeding, you must inform our staff.

• If you have had prior imaging e.g. PET, Nuclear Scan, CT, MRI, X-Ray, Ultrasound, etc... please bring these with you.

• Please also bring your referral and any blood results that you may have had done.

• There is no preparation for a Gallium Scan i.e. eat and drink as normal.

• If you are on any medications, please take these as normal.

• Wear comfortable clothing and minimise the amount of metal jewellery you have on (all metal objects will need to be removed prior to imaging).

• Important Note: You cannot have this test if you have had a PET or Nuclear Scan within 24 hours prior to this test. If you have had Iodine-131 therapy, allow 4-weeks before having this test. Please ring to discuss booking options.​

 

Breast-Feeding Mothers: Once you have been given the tracer, you need to stop breast-feeding for 20-days. During the first 3-days, you need to express and discard your breast milk as often as required. You will need to bottle-feed your child during this 20-day period. Before starting breast-feeding again, express and discard your breast milk one last time.

 

⁽¹⁾ A Gamma Camera is a device that detects gamma-rays (gamma-rays are very similar to x-rays) and does not emit any radiation.

⁽²⁾ SPECT/CT imaging (Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography / Computer Tomography). CT does emit radiation

⁽³⁾ We all receive a yearly background radiation dose ~ 2.4mSv. Gallium Scan with SPECT/CT ~ 22mSv = 9.2 times yearly background dose.