Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Gallium Scan of the Body

Definition

A gallium scan of the body is a nuclear medicine test that is conducted using a camera that detects gallium, a form of radionuclide, or radioactive chemical substance.

Purpose

Most gallium scans are ordered to detect cancerous tumors, infections, or areas of inflammation in the body. Gallium is known to accumulate in inflamed, infected, or cancerous tissues. The scans are used to determine whether a patient with an unexplained fever has an infection and the site of the infection, if present. Gallium scans also may be used to evaluate cancer following chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Precautions

Children and women...