67Gallium lung scans in progressive systemic sclerosis

67Gallium lung scans were performed in 19 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Results were expressed quantitatively as the 67Gallium Uptake Index. The mean total pulmonary 67Gallium Uptake Index in patients was significantly higher than that in controls (41 versus 25), and 4 patients (21%) fell outside the normal range. There were no clinical or laboratory variables that correlated with the 56gallium uptake. Increased pulmonary 67gallium uptake in scleroderma may prove useful as an index of pulmonary disease activity.