title: Steroid-induced suppression of gallium uptake in tumors of the central nervous system: concise communication.
abstract: The effect of steroids given in greater than replacement doses on the gallium and technetium glucoheptonate brain scan is evaluated by comparing the relative sensitivity of both radiopharmaceuticals in patients both on and off steroids. The study shows a significant steroid effect on the sensitivity of 95% to 64% following steroids. Steroids did not significantly alter the sensitivity of the technetium glucoheptonate study. The superiority of the TcGH brain scan over the gallium citrate brain scan in the steroid population suggests a difference in the uptake mechanism for the two radiopharmaceuticals.
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013400:Sugar Acids; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D013400:Sugar Acids; D013667:Technetium; D003907:Dexamethasone