Gallium scintigraphy in AIDS.
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a growing problem in Australia: 438 new cases were added in 1988, resulting in the cumulative total of 1562 patients up to November 1989. The cumulative death rate stands at 54%, the majority of deaths being due to secondary infections and malignancies. The clinical presentation of these problems is often non-specific and protean; early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment and survival. Whole body gallium-67 scintigraphy offers an early diagnostic window into many of these infections and malignancies. Although the findings may be non-specific, the procedure is sensitive and may indicate the need for urgent empirical therapy or direct the more definitive investigation. A review of our experience with gallium-67 scanning in 56 AIDS patients at the Prince of Wales/Prince Henry Hospitals confirms its role in presaging significant clinical deterioration in patients with AIDS.
Van der Wall
H
H
Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW.
Murray
I P
IP
Jones
P D
PD
Dwyer
J M
JM
D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes