Gallium 67 (67Ga) body scanning is a nuclear study performed to assist in diagnosing neoplasm and inflammatory activity in any body tissue or organ. To identify the presence and location of these abnormalities, the radionuclide 67Ga as gallium citrate Ga 67 is administered IV, followed by a total body scanning procedure. This radionuclide is readily distributed throughout the plasma and body tissues with a 90 percent sensitivity for inflammatory disease. It binds to transferrin receptors on cell surfaces, which is useful in identifying the presence of tumors, and to lactoferrin in neutrophils, which is useful in identifying inflammatory lesions.

• Normal organ systems in the body; no tumors or infectious processes in the body tissues.

• Inability of client to remain still during the procedure
• Antineoplastic drug therapy affecting the results of the study

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Indications

• Detecting infections or inflammatory diseases such as amebic and perinephric abscess, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia as revealed by increased uptake of the radionuclide in the affected organ
• Detecting primary and metastatic tumor in the lung, bone, brain, liver, head and neck, or gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts as revealed by uptake of the radionuclide, depending on the organ system involved
• Diagnosing and determining the stage of lymphomas, especially in Hodgkin's disease, and bronchogenic cancer as revealed by uptake in lymph nodes or extranodal locations
• Detecting primary hepatoma, sarcoma, melan-oma, or sarcoidosis as revealed by an abnormal uptake of the radionuclide in related organs
• Differentiating between benign and malignant tumors and detecting recurrent tumors when performed in combination with other studies such as CT and ultrasonography
• Screening for abnormalities when performed with other nuclear scan studies using 99mTc or 111In
• Determining effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Contraindications

• Pregnancy, unless the benefits of performing the procedure greatly outweigh the risks to the fetus

[Section Outline]

• Indications
• Contraindications

Nursing Care Before the Procedure

Client teaching and physical preparation are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").

• Inform the client that the scanning schedule can extend over 3 days and that each scanning procedure takes 1 to 2 hours.
• Administer an ordered suppository or tap water enema, or both, before the study.
• History should include information about the physical examination of all systems and results of any previous diagnostic tests and procedures.

The client is placed on the examining table in a supine position. The radiopharmaceutical is administered IV, with the amount dependent on whether tumor or inflammation imaging is to be performed. The client is requested to remain still during the scanning. Because of slow blood clearance, scanning is performed in 6, 24, 48, or 72 hours, or at more than one or at all of these times, for infectious or inflammatory identification. Scanning is performed in 24 and 48 hours, with delayed imaging up to 120 hours possible, for tumor identification. Soft tissue activity is present on 6- and 24-hour scans, and this activity decreases for scans performed after the initial 24 hours because of slow blood clearance. Depending on the reason for the scan, anterior and posterior views of the head, neck, chest, and abdomen and anterior views of the extremities are performed in whole body scanning. Lateral and oblique views can also be performed.

Nursing Care After the Procedure

Care and assessment after the procedure are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").