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A Gallium-67 scan is a nuclear medicine imaging test that uses Gallium-67 citrate to detect inflammation, infection, and certain tumors.

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• Ga-67 binds to transferrin and lactoferrin → accumulates at sites of infection, inflammation, and in some malignancies (especially lymphomas).

Radiopharmaceutical

Gallium-67 citrate

• Half-life: 78 hours (3.25 days).
• Gamma emissions: 93, 184, 296, 388 keV.
• Imaging at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-injection (sometimes up to 7 days).

Mechanism of Uptake

• Binds to transferrin → accumulates in areas of increased vascular permeability.
• Localizes at infection sites via binding to lactoferrin in neutrophils.
• Tumor uptake due to increased transferrin receptor expression.

Normal Distribution

Physiological uptake in:

• Liver, spleen, bone marrow.
• Nasopharynx, salivary glands, lacrimal glands.
• Breast (lactating women).
• Colon, bladder (variable).