[Septic paniculitis and 67Ga scintigraphy]

A 50 year-old patient presenting septicemia, septic panniculitis from Staphylococcus aureus and skin lesions on the buttocks, thighs and left arm was referred to the Nuclear Medicine Service, with a suspected underlying osseus problem. A whole body scan with 67Ga revealed generalized disease of the soft tissues with no bone involvement. Gallium was used for the monitor of the evolution of the lesions, since this is a good indicator of the treatment effectiveness. In this case, the use of nuclear techniques was fundamental for diagnosing the spread and evolution of the lesions until they were cured (cured being considered as when there is no gallium uptake by the lesions, months prior to this stage).