Regarding Gallium-67 citrate imaging, which statement is correct?
- A It localizes through binding to somatostatin receptors on tumour cells
- B It is a pure positron emitter imaged by coincidence detection
- C It binds plasma transferrin and accumulates in sites of inflammation and in some lymphomas ✓
- D It is excreted almost entirely in urine within the first few hours
Correct answer: C. It binds plasma transferrin and accumulates in sites of inflammation and in some lymphomas
Explanation
Ga-67 circulates bound to transferrin and enters cells bearing transferrin receptors; activated leucocytes, bacteria and many lymphomas take it up, making it useful for fever of unknown origin, opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, and lymphoma follow-up. It is a gamma emitter imaged with a gamma camera, not a positron emitter. Its main clearance route is the large bowel, which is why bowel prep is required.
Reference: Mettler, Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.