title: Gallium-67 scintigraphy as an aid in the detection of spinal epidural abscess.
abstract: Gadolinium-enhanced MRI is considered the study of choice for diagnosing spinal epidural abscess (SEA). Most of such cases, however, are not suspected initially, and thus do not benefit from the procedure. A case of SEA is described in which positive Ga-67 scintigraphy shortly before onset of lower extremity dysfunction was instrumental in obtaining an emergency gadolinium-enhanced MRI and establishing the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Service, VA Medical Center, West Roxbury, Massachusetts 02132.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Drum
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tow
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004824:Epidural Space; D005682:Gadolinium; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D005682:Gadolinium