67Gallium scanning in talc-induced pulmonary granulomatosis.
We describe a case of pulmonary granulomatosis in a user who habitually injected methylphenidate (Ritalin) intravenously; symptomatic and objective improvement occurred with corticosteroid therapy. A scan of the lungs using radioactive 67gallium showed an increased concentration of 67gallium throughout both lungs. There was a reduction in abnormal accumulation of 67gallium, improvement in the arterial oxygen pressure and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and a reduction in the infiltrate on the chest x-ray film two months after the institution of therapy. Before treatment the patient's symptoms and arterial deoxygenation increased despite the cessation of her drug abuse, thus raising the question of a self-perpetuating inflammatory process in a case of pulmonary deposition of talc.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006099:Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008774:Methylphenidate; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013627:Talc / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D013627:Talc; D008774:Methylphenidate