Gammagraphic diagnostics of bronchogenic carcinoma

A series of gammagraphic examinations is analyzed carried out in 650 patients with a tentative diagnosis of the suspect malignant process of the bronchus, set up on the basis of clinical and radiological examinations. 75Se-selenit, 197HgCl2, 67Ga-citrate, and 111In-bleomycin were used for the examinations. In each patient also perfusion gammagraphy of the lungs was performed by means of sup(99m)Tc-or sup(113m)In-labelled macroaggregate of albumin or albumin microspheres. The use of 67Ga-citrate proved to be most reliable, yielding a 92% diagnostic certainty on simultaneous performance of perfusion gammagraphy. Based on the results obtained, cumulative gammagraphy with a suitable radiosubstance is considered the approach of choice in shortening the time required for diagnostic hospitalization of patients with pulmonary findings of unclear etiology. (author)