Pediatric Gallium Scan (Nuclear Medicine)

A gallium scan is a multiple day nuclear medicine exam in which the patient receives an injection of the radioactive substance gallium followed by a whole or partial body scan. Gallium scans are used to identify active infections and tumors in the soft tissues of the body.

Nuclear medicine exams are unique because they provide a way to evaluate the function of various internal organs and tissues, rather than just the anatomy. Nuclear medicine scans are very safe. The patient receives a tiny amount of radioactive material so radiation exposure is minimal. The radioactive material is targeted to the specific body tissue being studied which limits exposure to other areas of the body. The energy emitted from the radioactive material is detected by a camera and used to create images which are studied by a radiologist.

This page contains the following information about nuclear medicine gallium scans:

Reasons for Having a Gallium Scan

A gallium scan is performed to look for either infection or malignant tumors. It may be used to stage various cancers or determine the response to cancer treatment. The information obtained from the scan may be important in planning your child’s treatment plan.

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Risks Involved in a Gallium Scan

There is the risk of radiation exposure; however, a very small amount of radioactive material is used and the radiation exposure is well below the level that causes adverse affects. The radioactive material will generally clear your child’s body within 24 hours. Nuclear medicine has been used in newborns and children for more than three decades, and there are no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose exams.

It is possible for your child to have side effects or adverse reactions to the radioactive materials; however, this is rare.

Your child may experience some discomfort during the injection of the radioactive material. He or she may also be uncomfortable lying on the scanner table for the amount of time necessary.

Conditions to Let Our Doctor Know About

There are no conditions that you need to report prior to this exam.

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Insurance Coverage

Gallium scans are usually covered by insurance when ordered by a physician. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure. Please bring your insurance card with you to your exam.

Exam Locations

Pediatric gallium scans may be performed at the following INVISION partner hospitals in the Denver, Colorado area. Exam results are evaluated by INVISION radiologists.

Please note:

INVISION is partially owned by Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA); consequently, your radiologist’s lab coat and your bill, if you receive one, may say RIA rather than INVISION.

Scheduling this Exam

To schedule a pediatric gallium scan, please call the hospital where the exam will be performed.

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Preparation Guidelines

Preparation instructions vary slightly, depending on whether the gallium scan is being performed to look for infection or tumors. No preparation is required for the first appointment when your child receives the Gallium injection.

Infection
Following are the preparation instructions for a gallium scan for locating infection:

Tumors
Following are the preparation instructions for a gallium scan for locating tumors:

If sedation is required, your child must adhere to these food restrictions:

It is important that you also provide emotional support for your child before and during the procedure. If your child is old enough to understand, explain the procedure to him or her. Let him or her know that the exam won’t hurt and that he or she will have to lie very still throughout the exam. Also reassure your child that you will be able to remain in the room during the exam.

Support for Your Child during the Exam

We allow up to two adults in the nuclear medicine room with your child to provide support.

What to Expect During the Exam

Upon arriving in the radiology department for your appointment, you will be given paperwork to complete.

A gallium scan consists of two parts. First, your child will receive an injection of the radioactive material Gallium. The second part consists of two scans, taken at the time intervals outlined in the following chart:

What Scan is Looking For Scan Interval (from Injection Time) Type of Scan
Infection 1st - After 24 hours
2nd – After 48 hours		 Whole body or particular views
Tumors 1st - After 48 hours
2nd – After 72 hours*		 Whole body

* A high fiber diet during this 72 hour period is helpful.

Another injection will be given before each scan. A technologist will position your child on a table. If your child requires sedation (usually for children under the age of 10), it will be given orally at this time. A nurse or technologist will monitor your child’s heart rate and oxygen level throughout the scan. A gamma camera will move over your child’s body to record images of the distribution of the radioactive material. A whole body scan will last approximately 60 minutes; particular views may take less time. If your child is not sedated, he or she may watch a movie or listen to a CD during this time.

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Recovering from this Imaging Exam

Unless sedated, your child can return to his or her normal activities immediately after the exam.

If your child is sedated, he or she may be groggy after the exam. The sedation drug may stay in your child’s system throughout the day. Please anticipate a change in your child’s eating and sleeping habits for the remainder of the day. Although it isn’t essential that your child eat, it is important that your child drink fluids throughout the day. He or she should be back to normal the following day.

Getting Your Child's Exam Results

Trained and experienced pediatric radiologists interpret all exams, and then report the specific results to the physician who ordered your exam. Your physician will usually receive the report on the day of the exam. Your physician will then pass the results onto you. Our radiologists and technologists will be happy to answer questions about the exam procedure itself; however, they will not provide the exam results at the time the exam is performed.

Additional Information

The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on galllium scans.

Sources

Gallium scans are used to identify active infections and tumors in the soft tissues of the body It is important that you provide emotional support for your child before and during the gallium scan