Discrepancy between gallium-67 citrate scans and chest X-rays in patients with miliary tuberculosis.

Two patients were admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis (TB). Gallium-67 citrate (Ga) scans and chest X-rays were used to localize the TB lesions. One case showed normal chest X-ray with significant gallium uptake in the lung while the other showed diffuse interstitial infiltrations of both lungs in chest X-ray with negative result in gallium scan. We suggest that the combination of Ga scans and chest X-rays might be indicated to avoid the discrepancy between the two images and missing early diagnosis of miliary TB.