Gallium-67 scintigraphy in polymyalgia rheumatica

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2007 Jan-Feb;25(1 Suppl 44):S34-5.

Abstract

A patient with atypical presentation of polymyalgia rheumatica is presented. Her major symptoms were mild weakness, pain on passive movement of the shoulder and hip girdles, with mild tenderness but no joint stiffness. Muscle enzymes were within the normal range. The diagnostic work-up included gallium-67 scintigraphy, which showed intense uptake in both shoulders, with remarkable improvement following steroid treatment. A prospective study may delineate the possible role of this imaging modality in establishing a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bursitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bursitis / drug therapy
  • Bursitis / pathology
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes* / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / diagnostic imaging*
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / drug therapy
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / pathology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Prednisone