Failure of gallium-67 citrate imaging to diagnose post-myocardial infarction (Dressler's) syndrome

Gallium-67 scanning has been suggested as a means of diagnosing post-pericardiotomy syndrome. We have assessed the value of thoracic gallium scanning in patients with the post-myocardial infarction (Dressler's) syndrome, which is thought to have a similar pathogenesis. In five patients in whom the diagnosis was established by currently available means, 67Ga scans performed during active pericarditis showed no significant uptake in any case. No subject was receiving steroids but all were taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs at the time of scanning. It is not clear why there should be differences in gallium uptake between the two conditions, but we conclude that 67Ga thoracic scanning is of no value in the management of patients with Dressler's syndrome.