False-positive Ga-67 uptake in a septic patient after severe automobile trauma

Recent heterotopic calcifications in septic patients with multiple bone injuries after severe automobile trauma may accumulate Ga-67 and appear on the scan as areas of inflammation, causing misdiagnoses. The available literature contains only two reports of Ga-67 uptake within areas of heterotopic calcifications. In this case, post-traumatic paravertebral calcifications accumulated Ga-67 and simulated the presence of an infected hematoma. The CT and Tc-99m hexamethylpropylene amineoxime leukocyte scans were helpful in establishing an accurate diagnosis. Post-traumatic heterotopic calcifications should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a focal area of Ga-67 uptake.