The value of gallium-67 scintigraphy in localising infection following cardiac surgery.
Radioactive gallium-67 has been used in a 64-year-old woman who developed persistent fever and a small sinus in the upper chest 6 weeks following open heart surgery for the replacement of a rheumatic aortic valve. The scintigraphy revealed unexpected extensive inflammation tracking down from the region of the sinus to the lower chest in front and under the heart. Chest X-ray and echocardiographic findings were inconclusive. The value of gallium scintigraphy in this case was not only in the localisation of the lesion but also in defining the extent of inflammation, the latter feature determining the need for reintervention.
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes