title: Gallium 67 scanning for the diagnosis of infection in children.
abstract: Gallium 67 scintigraphy was studied prospectively in 26 children with clinically suspected abscesses. Scan interpretation agreed with the clinical outcome in 21 patients (81%). The true-negative rate was 71% and the true-positive rate was 92%. False-positive scans were related to bleeding and bone infarcts. False-negative scans were related to neutropenia (less than 500 neutrophils/cu mm) and to lesions smaller than 1 cm. Gallium scanning is a safe and reliable method of diagnosis of infection in children, except for patients with neutropenia or whose lesions are smaller than 1 cm. Two-hour scans may be useful in some patients, particularly those with osteomyelitis.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
chemical_list: D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes