So you’ve got unexplained inflammation that no one can diagnose and you’re having a Gallium Scan! (also called a Gallium 67 test)
The Gallium injection is stored in a lead box - it is radioactive and hazardous. This is the actual box that contained my injection.
I thought there was a lack of information about thyroid biopsies when I wrote my posts about that. I thought there was a lack of information about muscle biopsies when I wrote about that but oh my! There is an unbelievable lack of information for patients about Gallium Scans on the web. So, I’m back to add my experience so that someone else may find some helpful search results.
What is a Gallium Scan?
It is a nuclear medicine diagnostic test/exam. A patient is injected with radioactive material. Special equipment/cameras are used to look for infection in the body.
Why get a Gallium Scan?
In this case, I was told by my Neurologist that he wants to locate the parts of my body that may be inflamed due to Sjogren’s syndrome. It may be the tear duct, parotid salivary gland, submandibular salivary gland, or other body part. This will help prevent a possible fruitless lip biopsy. If an inflamed area is identified, I will have a biopsy to confirm a Sjogren’s diagnosis. The scan is a full body scan and will help rule out other possible infections. Gallium scans are also used to identify some tumors/cancers.
Why is a Gallium Scan a 3 day test?
It is my understanding that the first day is simply for the injection of radioactive material; Day 2 if for a 1 hour body scan that will view the radioactive material in the body; and Day 3 is for a 1.5 hour body scan to continue to locate where the radioactive material has collected in the blood and organs.
How do you prepare for a Gallium Scan?
I was told there was no prep for Day 1. However, I will receive some instructions on Day 2 for Day 3.
When I arrived:
I arrived at the hospital and was sent to Nuclear Medicine where I was greeted by a Nuclear Medicine Physician or Technician (not certain). She was extremely nice. She was kind about obliging with my photo taking for my blog and treated me with genuine care. She gave me an overview of the injection procedure and my schedule for the next two days.
The Injection:
The Nuclear Medicine specialist first inserted an IV to ensure the Gallium material
My arm getting injected with radioactive isotopes from a lead covered/protected syringe.
would enter my vein and not my tissue. She used a special lead-protected syringe full of gallium to inject me and protect herself from the radiation.
Preparing for the Scan:
Though there are no special preparations needed for Day 2 – the first scanning day, I will prepare by taking Valium to help me relax and stay still for the hour period of time for the scan. Since I am taking Valium, I will have my husband drive me. Otherwise, I would be fine to drive. Depending on how the first scan day goes, I may decide I do not need medication to help me stay still for Day 3. I am making my current decision based on some claustrophobia I have and the difficulty I had staying motionless for my MRI of the T-spine and L-spine, resulting in some unhelpful pictures.
More about what to expect with Day 2 to come!
Questions/Comments always welcomed.
Thanks!
-Q
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | gallium scan, nuclear medicine, Sjogren's Syndrome, what to expect
I was going to suggest that you ask for something (sedation/anxiety) but I didn’t want to be “that person”. You know, the doom and gloom freaking you out person. My own experiences – that scan thing was a bit much for me. I just tried to imagine I was like the bionic woman having a diagnostic or something. If I ever need something like that again, I’m asking for a valium. Good luck with days two & three!
Wow — you’re always so informative, Q!
Hey, do you know if they use these gallium scans for any other health issues than Sjogren’s? It seems like it would be helpful for a lot of inflammatory diseases, and yet I’ve never heard of it. (Ok, am I a total geek to think it’s cool that there was a lead syringe to inject the gallium?)
Hope the scan goes well tomorrow. I think you’re wise to err on the side of precaution and taking the valium. Lying still for an hour is hard when you have any joint/muscle issues, even without adding claustrophobia to the mix.
Thinking of you, and hoping these tests give your doctor some real answers!!
Here is hoping all goes well for you and it isnt too traumatic.Labs can also be done for the SSA&SSB(anti-LA and anti-RO)antibodies which are elevated in about 90%for SSA and 40-60%for SSB of people with Primary Sjogrens.Also a schirmer test at the Optho to measure tear function can help.The lip biopsy I would do last after the labs(if they are pos. then there is not really a need for the biopsy-most wont go farther after the labs-lip is done if SJS is still suspected but not showing anywhere)
I also found this link for anyone who is researching the scan and wanted to add it to your info.Again I hope all goes well and you get answers quickly. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/gallium-scan
Thanks everyone! It’s ok to be *that* person Laura. I already have valium for my neck muscle spasms so I am on day 3 (day 2 of scans) and am valiumed.
Aviva, I will find out more about uses for the scan.
Kimberly, thanks for the info. One of the biggest reasons I’m a medical puzzle is that my labs are inconsistent and often negative for every anTibody. I’ve been tested several times and only had a positive SSA/Anti-Ro 1 time and it was mildly elevated. So I was told I had mild sjogren’s and was just fat! Ha! Also have had pos and neg schirmer’s. My body must enjoy being puzzling!
I desperately want to be a typical case of something…
You seem to be a typical Sjogrens patient cause mine is always atypical
.I have long said I just wish it could be the same thing day after day as I think that would be a lot easier to deal with.
Aviva-I thought it was cool too so you arent the only geek.The biggest laugh I have ever gotten from a tech comment was that the dye they were using was “organic”-I was like *eh* I am gonna be in this tube flat out for an hour trying to find out if my spine has a tumor and you think I am concerned if my dye is organic?Well thank God it IS!I would have went home right now…I also told them that I wasnt sure if my tattoo had metal or not as I had gotten it in prison
as the look that one got was worth the whole day of testing *snickers*
Good luck with the rest of the testing.Keep your spirits up and the valium down
:)
I think as professional patients, as I like to call myself, we can’t help but get geeked about med stuff we don’t already know about, yeah know?
We’ve had a lot of regular blood draws…
Kimberly – love your story about the organic dye. Heehee.
Maybe none of us are “typical” patients and that’s part of the problem. I really do hope someone will be able to explain why my body doesn’t test positive for antibodies – even with having a goiter on my thyroid. It doesn’t seem to make sense and I want to know why.
Anyway…
Thank you to all of my dear fellow patient friends who keep my spirits up.
Hugs,
-Q