A rabbit abscess model was developed to study the effect of abscess age on the accumulation of indium-111-labeled neutrophils ([111In]N) versus gallium-67 citrate (67Ga). Abscesses 1-2 hr, 6-8 hr, 24 hr, and 7 days old were induced by subcutaneous injection of autoclaved colon contents prior to i.v. administration of either [111In]N or 67Ga. Radioactivity in the abscesses was determined 48 hr postinjection. Accumulation of [111In]N was inversely proportional to abscess age. Seven-day-old abscesses were inconsistently seen on [111In]N scans. In contrast, 67Ga accumulation was not affected by abscess age and all abscesses could be identified on a scan 48 hr postinjection. Scans with [111In]N were clearly superior to 67Ga scans for demonstrating early abscesses. Since 67Ga accumulated to a greater extent than [111In]N in abscesses 7 days old, it may be a superior imaging agent for older abscesses.