European survey on the usefulness of /sup 67/Ga lung scans in assessing sarcoidosis. Experience in 14 research centers in seven different countries
Fifty-eight contributors from 12 European and 2 American sarcoidosis centers have collaborated in a survey to define many questions concerning the use of /sup 67/Ga lung scan in sarcoidosis. The new quantitative scoring methods based on digital evaluation seem better in detecting lung activity. In 20.1% of untreated patients, the /sup 67/Ga lung scan appeared to be the only noninvasive method with which clinical activity could be detected. /sup 67/Ga scans may be useful in guiding lung biopsy and in choosing pulmonary segments for BAL. Of 382 patients studied during follow-up (154 patients with three to nine scans at intervals of 2 to 12 months), the /sup 67/Ga scan was far more sensitive than chest radiography, both in detecting improvement and in foreseeing relapses. Steroid therapy appears to suppress ACE levels more than /sup 67/Ga uptake, and /sup 67/Ga uptake more than the alveolitis detectable by BAL. Gallium-67 uptake rebounds to positivity occur in about 40% of patients after steroid discontinuation and in about 20% of patients after steroid reduction to daily doses of 10 mg or less of prednisone. The /sup 67/Ga dose of 1.5 mCi seems appropriate for clinical purposes and is recommended for the subjective scoring method in order to reduce the cost and the radiation burden.
- OSTI ID:
- 5123875
- Journal Information:
- Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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