title: Value of gallium-67 citrate scanning in Crohn's disease: concise communication.
abstract: A frequent problem in Crohn's disease is the distinction between exacerbated inflammation of the bowel, which can be treated medically, and intra-abdominal abscess, a common complication that requires surgical management. We present evidence that the gallium scan is of value in making this distinction. From a series of 11 studies, negative gallium scans correctly excluded abscess in over half. All patients were symptomatic at the time of the scan. Most patients with active Crohn's disease do not have abnormal gallium uptake and in these patients the gallium scan is useful to exclude the possibility of abscess.
authors.affiliation: Div. of Nuclear Medicine, University of Alabama Medical Ctr., 1919 Seventh Ave. So., Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Dubovsky
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Logic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002951:Citrates; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005708:Gallium; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates; D005708:Gallium; C103850:gallium citrate