Chronic berylliosis. Demonstration by gallium-67 imaging and magnetic resonance imaging

Ga-67 is known to localize in the lungs in a wide spectrum of pulmonary pathology. The nonspecific affinity of Ga-67 uptake in both inflammatory and neoplastic entities limits its utility in terms of pulmonary disease differential diagnosis. However, Ga-67 lung imaging has proven to be helpful in evaluating the extent of inflammatory activity, as well as in assessing responses to therapy. A case of active chronic berylliosis, a disorder in which Ga-67 uptake has not been previously reported is presented. There is diffuse bilateral Ga-67 pulmonary activity before therapy. Subsequent to steroid therapy, a marked decrease in pulmonary gallium uptake activity was noted with only residual hilar and mediastinal adenopathy noted.