Gallium is a radioactive material used to check for inflammation, infection or cancer through a diagnostic procedure known as the gallium scan. It is a nuclear medicine exam to search for sources of unknown fevers or to check for lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes.
Preparation for the Gallium Scan
While there is not a restriction on food or drink prior to the exam, you will be getting a laxative the night before. This is to keep stool from interfering with the test results. If a laxative is not given the night before, you may get an enema an hour or two prior to the procedure. There will be consent forms to sign and you will not be able to wear jewelry. You will have to hold still through the procedure and the injection will feel like a pinprick.
The Gallium Scan
An injection of gallium will go into a vein and travel through the blood. You will return between six and 24 hours later to be scanned. When you return, you will be placed on your back. You will be on your back on the scanner table while a camera shows where the gallium is gathering in the body. The scan itself will take between a half to a whole hour.
Results from the Gallium Scan
Normal results will show gallium collections only in the liver, spleen, bones, large bowel, and the breast tissue. Abnormal results will show gallium outside this area, predicting tumors, inflammation, and infection. Lung issues that may show up are tumors, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, respiratory infections, pulmonary embolus, and a primary pulmonary hypertension.
Source: A.D.A.M.