Case Author(s): Jerold Wallis , 7/7/94 . Rating: #D2, #Q3

Diagnosis: Chemotherapy induced lung gallium uptake

Brief history:

Patient with lymphoma being evaluated for recurrance.

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Full history/Diagnosis is available below


Diagnosis: Chemotherapy induced lung gallium uptake

Full history:

The patient has a history of Hodgkin's disease, and is status post three courses of chemotherapy, most recently only a few weeks prior to this study. She has no significant pulmonary symptoms at this time. The previous gallium scintigraphy demonstrated abdominal and bone involvement, but no pulmonary involvement.

Findings:

Diffuse pulmonary uptake of gallium is seen, in addition to normal uptake in bone, lacrimal glands, liver, and spleen.

Discussion:

Diffuse lung involvement could be due to an infectious process or may be seen following certain forms of chemotherapy. While it is possible that there is diffuse involvement with tumor, this is unlikely given the normal chest radiograph, the lack of previous lung involvment, and the regression of disease elsewhere following chemotherapy (as measured by CT examination and gallium scintigraphy). Given the lack of evidence of infection (clinically or on radiographs) the pulmonary uptake is most likely due to the effect of the chemotherapy.

Followup:

Chest radiographs remain negative for pulmonary involvement.

ACR Codes and Keywords:

References and General Discussion of Gallium Scintigraphy (Anatomic field:Lung, Mediastinum, and Pleura, Category:Inflammation,Infection)

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Case number: ga001

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