gallium67

Gallium-67 is a radioactive isotope of gallium with a half-life of 78.27 hours. It decays primarily by electron capture, emitting gamma rays with energies of 93, 184, 296, and 388 keV. This property makes it useful in medical imaging.

In nuclear medicine, gallium-67 citrate is administered intravenously to patients. The gallium ions bind to transferrin, a protein in the blood, and are then distributed throughout the body. They accumulate in areas of inflammation, infection, and certain types of tumors. The emitted gamma rays can be detected by a gamma camera, allowing physicians to visualize these areas and diagnose various conditions.

Gallium-67 scans are commonly used to detect and stage lymphomas, lung cancer, and other malignancies. They are also employed to locate sources of infection such as osteomyelitis, pneumonia, and abscesses. The imaging process typically involves multiple scans over several days as the gallium-67 distributes and concentrates in target tissues.

While useful, gallium-67 imaging is not without limitations. Its uptake can be seen in normal physiological processes, and false positives can occur. Furthermore, the radiation dose received by the patient, though generally considered safe for diagnostic purposes, is a factor to be considered. The use of gallium-67 has also been influenced by the development of newer imaging agents and techniques.