[67Ga scintigraphy in retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF): indications, application and clinical relevance--report of five patients].

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the indication for 67Ga-citrate imaging and its clinical impact on patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).

METHOD: The scanning with ventral and dorsal projections was done 48 an 72 h after i.v.-injection of 370 Mbq 67Ga-citrate.

RESULTS: In the 5 patients with idiopathic RPF included in the study, there was a remarkably high correlation between the clinical symptoms, the surgical and histologic findings, the activity of the disease and the results of 67Ga-scintigraphy.

CONCLUSION: While CT and--maybe even better--MRI might perfectly show the extension, shape and contour of the fibrotic tissue, Gallium-67 scan appears to be superior in assessing the intensity and activity of the disease process.