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Comparative evaluation of technetium-99m glucoheptonate and gallium-67 citrate thoracic imaging in detection of mediastinal and hilar involvement in primary lung cancer

Journal Article · · Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States)

Fifty-two patients with proven primary lung cancer who were referred for mediastinoscopy were prospectively studied with Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Ga-67 citrate thoracic scintigraphy. Primary lung tumors concentrated Ga-67 in 92% of cases, compared to 88% for Tc-99m glucoheptonate. Mediastinoscopy confirmed the presence of mediastinal metastases in 23 patients. The sensitivity of Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Ga-67 scans for mediastinal involvement detection is respectively 52% and 83%, for a specificity of 100% (Tc-99m glucoheptonate) and 88% (Ga-67). Twenty-nine patients underwent thoracotomy after a negative mediastinoscopy. Hilar metastatic involvement was present in eight patients. The sensitivity and the specificity for detection of hilar involvement were respectively 63% and 95% for Tc-99m glucoheptonate and 88% and 78% for Ga-67. Although more specific than Ga-67 scan, Tc-99m glucoheptonate thoracic imaging cannot be recommended in the staging of lung cancer because of its low sensitivity in the detection of intrathoracic metastatic spread of primary lung carcinoma.

Research Organization:
Hopital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Canada
OSTI ID:
5883104
Journal Information:
Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Clin. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN CNMED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English