[67Ga citrate imaging in AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in Japan]

Abstract

Six AIDS patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) underwent 67Ga scan as part of their evaluation. Only one patient of them showed the characteristic 67Ga distribution pattern for PCP, that is, diffuse, increased, bilateral lung activity greater than liver activity. Two patients who were receiving therapy for PCP and one patient with recurrent PCP showed focal or uneven 67Ga lung uptake. In the four patients, the scan showed more extensive lesion than the chest radiograph. The other two patients who died 2 months later of cellular immunodeficiency showed no or very slight lung uptake of 67Ga. In summary, 67Ga scanning is useful diagnostic procedure in evaluation of PCP in patients with AIDS.