Demonstration of pleural empyema on Ga-67 planar and SPECT imaging

This is a report of a patient with fever of unknown origin who had a clinically unsuspected traumatic pleural empyema detected by a Ga-67 whole- body survey with chest SPECT and confirmed later by CT. After thoracocentesis, pus-like fluid from the pleural cavity was collected. The result of a bacteria smear was Gram-positive cocci. With thoracocentesis and adequate antibiotic treatment, the patient was discharged in stable condition. A follow-up Ga-67 whole-body scan at our outpatient clinic showed no more abnormal accumulation in the pleura or whole body. Thus, we suggest that the Ga-67 whole-body scan is useful in both detecting lesions and monitoring the therapeutic effect in patients with pleural empyema.