Role of 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

A scintigraphic study with 67Ga-citrate is carried out of the intrathoracic lymph nodes and the lungs of 121 patients with sarcoidosis. Processing of the scintigraphs includes determination of the area of visualized zones by means of transfer coefficients, as well as the cummulation of the radiopharmaceutical in % of the activity in mediastinum (for lymph nodes) and in the symmetric zone of the contralatteral lung (for lungs). Along with the scintigraphy also the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and broncho-alveolar lavage are investigated. The scintigraphy offers the possibility to determine the locatization and volume of the affected interthoracal lymph nodes and lungs. It is found that fixation of the radiopharmaceutical in the lymph nodes reflects the activity of the process and has no bearing on its stage and the surface of the affected zone. The scintiscanning method opens a possibility to control the effectiveness of the therapy. 4 figs., 2 tabs., 13 refs