Renal localization of gallium-67 citrate

Renal localization of 67Ga citrate has been observed in 1.7% of 2,000 whole-body gallium scans in three major diseases: lymphoreticular neoplasms, leukemia, and malignant melanoma. Correlation of this finding with autopsy data in 13 cases revealed 9 with tumor and 2 with an inflammatory process. Findings in two cases were normal. In the remaining patients, correlation with abnormal urograms and laboratory data was poor. Nevertheless, gallium localization in the kidneys may be the first indicator of renal involvement with either tumor or inflammation.