67Ga scintigraphy as an index of disease activity in pulmonary sarcoidosis

Gallium-67 scintigraphy was performed in 38 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis to assess its value as a supplement to the clinical, radiographical and functional investigations. In 32 (84%) of the 38 patients the scan was abnormal and showed 67Ga uptake in the pulmonary parenchyma and/or hilum. The incidence and severity of pulmonary symptoms correlated poorly with the localization and degree of 67Ga accumulation. During the clinical follow-up of untreated patients 67Ga scintigraphy showed regression earlier than chest radiography. Large doses of corticosteroids decreased the accumulation of 67Ga in the pulmonary parenchyma and hilum. The chest radiographical improvement was more gradual. The 67Ga scan can be used as an index of disease activity in the follow-up of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, whether or not they are treated with corticosteroids. Nevertheless, the results have to be considered together with other clinical data.