Diagnostic significance of persistent colonic gallium activity: scintigraphic patterns.

One hundred and forty-eight gallium scans were reviewed to determine the diagnostic significance of colonic gallium activity and its relationship to colonic disease. Location or intensity of the activity was unchanged during the course of the radionuclide study in 25 patients imaged more than once. Of those patients who had colonic gallium activity that did not change in location or intensity during the study, 9 had proved colonic disease. The patterns of colonic activity were either focal or diffuse. These distinct patterns, however, cannot distinguish benign from malignant disease.