title: Gallbladder visualization on routine lung perfusion imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Two routine lung SPECT studies showed what appeared to be uptake within the gallbladder. This finding was confirmed on coronal views and three-dimensional reconstruction. There was no contamination or problem with the radiopharmaceutical quality control. The patients had not had any prior nuclear procedures. Gallbladder visualization on routine lung imaging has not been previously observed. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the incidence of gallbladder uptake and to determine a possible mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients referred for routine lung perfusion imaging were examined. At the end of the lung imaging, an anterior and/or right lateral 3-5 minute view of the abdomen was obtained. Patients too ill for additional imaging or those with prior cholecystectomies were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen of the 54 patients showed activity within the gallbladder. Activity within the gut, kidneys, and urinary bladder also were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gallbladder activity after Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin injection for lung perfusion studies, is a fairly common finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio 43608, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010316:Particle Size; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin