1. A method has been developed for the study and localization of bone lesions through the administration of radioactive gallium (Ga72) by external scintillation counting (scanning).
2. Laboratory studies indicate that the Ga72 has a predilection to localize in bone, with the concentration gradient between muscle and normal bone approaching 1 to 50, while the ratio between normal bone and proliferating bone is 1 to 4.
3. A study of sixty-six patients with malignant lesions by means of Ga72 scanning techniques indicates that this method is useful in study of specific cases but that it is of limited value in the routine diagnosis of bony metastases.
4. A study of forty-nine cases of non-malignant bone lesions indicates that in the healing phase of osteomyelitis and during callus formation and resolution in fractures, significant selective localization of Ga72 occurs at the site of the lesion.
5. Study of twenty-nine fractures indicates that Ga72 scanning through a cast may be useful in the study of the healing process.