Possible enhancement of 67Ga-citrate imaging by iron dextran

The whole-body retention of 67Ga-citrate was studied in intact and in abscess-bearing rabbits. The abscess-to-muscle ratio was obtained using a data processor. Administration of iron dextran lowers the whole-body retention in both the intact and abscess-bearing animals. The optimum time for administering the iron dextran was 24 hr after the 67Ga-citrate injection. At this time, the abscess-to-muscle ratio was highest and the cathode-ray screen images showed lowered back-ground activity and much better definition of the lesion.