Comparison of thallium-201 and gallium-67 scintigraphy in soft tissue and bone marrow multiple myeloma: a case report.
A 68-year-old female was referred for assessment of multiple myeloma. A large myelomatous infiltrate involving the left triceps muscle showed avid uptake on both thallium-201 and gallium-67 scintigraphy. Following radiotherapy, imaging with both radiopharmaceuticals showed resolution of disease; however, tumour recurrence in the bone marrow was seen only on thallium-201 imaging. This observation suggests that while soft-tissue myeloma shows similar appearances on thallium-201 and gallium-67 scintigraphy, both at baseline and following therapy, gallium-67 may not demonstrate bone marrow infiltration which is visualized on thallium-201 imaging. Therefore, thallium-201 appears to be superior to gallium-67 in evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma when soft tissues and bone marrow are involved.