Early diagnosis of disk space infection with 67Ga in an experimental model

Both 67Ga and 99mTc scans become positive in experimental disk space infection, but 67Ga does so earlier than 99mTc. The radiologic features of experimental disk infection are similar to those seen clinically. Disk infection commences primarily in the disk and not in the vertebral body. Gallium-67 is useful in diagnosis of the disease under circumstances when the diagnosis is in doubt.

Early diagnosis of disc-space infection using Gallium-67

A 4-year-old boy had had progressive central lumbar pain and hamstring spasm. He had a normal lumbar-spine x-ray except for minimal L-5, S1 spondylolysis, but gave an abnormal gallium-67 scan in the region of the low lumbar spine. Eight weeks following intensive antibiotic therapy, confirmation of the diagnosis of disc-space infection was established by roentgenographic studies that demonstrated narrowing of the L 4-5 intervertebral disc space. A technetium-99m diphosphonate bone scan, performed concurrently with the gallium-67 study, was normal.