In order to improve the diagnostic accuracy in detecting abdominal lesions of malignant lymphoma, we studied prospectively the usefulness of 67Ga-citrate scintigraphy combined 5 to 6-hour early image with conventional 72-hour delayed image after injection. During the period from July 1986 to September 1988, total 41 67Ga-citrate scintigrams performed on 28 patients with malignant lymphoma (3 Hodgkin's disease, 25 non-Hodgkin lymphoma) were evaluated between early and delayed image regarding to such points as follows; 1) the physiologic bowel uptake of 67Ga-citrate, 2) detection of abdominal lesions indicated by other diagnostic modalities involving computed tomography, lymphography and ultrasonography. Following results were obtained: 1) Prominent bowel uptake of 67Ga-citrate thought to be difficult to interpret the scintigram was observed in only 1 of 41 (2%) on early image versus 13 of 41 (32%) on delayed image. 2) Known lesion sites were detected in 24 of 31 (77%) on early image versus 21 of 31 (68%) on delayed image, resulting in 26 of 31 (84%) in combination with both images. 3) There were 2 false-positive and 5 false-negative lesions. Two false-positive lesions on early image were explained by physiologic hepatic uptake with ill-defined outline and bladder uptake. On the other hand, all of 5 lesions on delayed image were explained by prominent bowel uptake. 4) Two patients were revealed higher splenic uptake comparing with hepatic uptake on both images, later proved to be diffuse splenic involvement without evidence of lesions on other diagnostic modalities. 5) The lesions less than 2 cm in diameter could not be detected in both images.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)