Bone scintigraphy of skeletal metastasis in hepatoma patients treated by TAE

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Skeletal metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients has become clinically important as a result of advances in treatment modalities. However, the diagnostic accuracy of bone scintigraphy in hepatocellular carcinoma has been questioned. METHODOLOGY: 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed in 63 unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated by transcatheter arterial embolization who either developed musculoskeletal pain (n = 43) or elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (n = 20) during follow-up. Results were categorized as positive or negative for metastases, and their accuracy was evaluated by radiological studies, biopsy, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Bone scintigraphy was positive in 22/43 (51.2%) subjects with pain and 2/20 with alpha-feto-protein elevation. Among 24 bone scintigraphy(+) patients, metastasis was confirmed in 17 and excluded in 6. Frequent sites for metastatic bone scintigraphy lesions were the spine, pelvic bone and ribs. Although 8 metastatic lesions had low or mixed uptake, most had increased uptake on bone scintigraphy. Among 39 bone scintigraphy(-) patients, metastasis was excluded in 32 and confirmed in 1. The sensitivity and specificity of bone scintigraphy in this subset of patients was 94.4% and 84.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial embolization treated hepatocellular carcinoma patients with musculoskeletal pain have a high likelihood of bone metastasis, and bone scintigraphy is a highly reliable method for its detection.     

肿瘤骨转移误诊为畸形性骨炎1例

1例25岁男性患者,主因颈椎、左上肢痛22个月,腰背痛12个月就诊。多次疑诊为"畸形性骨炎"。查体:消瘦,颈部可及肿大淋巴结,颈部活动受限,腰椎前屈受限,腰椎棘突叩痛阳性。辅助检查:血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)水平239U/L,血清肿瘤标记物水平显著升高;X线:双肱骨及胸6-9椎体密度增高、右侧第6后肋下缘骨质增厚影。CT:肺内小结节影,心包及双侧胸腔积液,肝内多发低密度病变。骨髓活检病理提示转移性腺癌,心包积液病理见可疑瘤细胞。淋巴结病理提示肺来源的转移性腺癌。该患者被诊断为肺腺癌,肝脏、淋巴结及骨骼转移,心包转移。本例患者及文献复习提示对骨痛并伴有显著体重减轻、起病年龄小于40岁或高龄患者、受累骨骼逐渐增多,以及骨骼病变与ALP水平不平行,诊断畸形性骨炎时要注意与肿瘤骨转移相鉴别。     

Osteoarticular scintigraphy in comparison with clinical evidence

Bone scintigraphy is a technique which is often resorted to in diagnostic rheumatology. There are few data on the effective relevance of bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints. The aim of this study was to compare the results of bone scintigraphy with clinical evidence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Seventy-five patients were submitted to total body bone scintigraphy (44 rheumatoid arthritis, 31 osteoarthritis). The nuclear medicine specialist indicated the list of joints showing uptake. For the same patients a rheumatologist indicated the number of affected joints. The laboratory and clinical data were recorded. The patients were first stratified according to the prevalence of the clinical evidence and scintigraphic uptake. The distribution was found to be not significant. Only 5.3% of patients showed no uptake. Thirty-three patients had no clinical evidence of disease; among these, 30 showed joint uptake. Considering only the patients with clinical evidence, 97.6% showed joint uptake. These results were confirmed even when the data were analyzed by sex, disease and therapy. Considering the patients with clinical evidence, the uptake/clinical ratio did not show any significant correlation. The number of joints with clinical evidence correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The number of joints showing uptake correlated only with age. In conclusion, on average, scintigraphy, performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, highlights a significantly higher number of joints involved as compared to what would be expected on the basis of clinical evaluation. It remains to be defined whether this is an overestimation related to the characteristics of the scan or whether it is sign of a higher sensitivity in highlighting the site of inflammation. Against the latter hypothesis is the absence of correlation with the inflammatory indexes.     

Squamous cell lung cancer simulating an acute myocardial infarction

Lung cancer involvement of the heart is silent, carries a poor prognosis, and is most commonly identified at autopsy. A patient with lung cancer presented with symptoms and ECG findings suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome. Persistent symptoms and normal creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels led to use of MRI and radionuclide scintigraphy to diagnose neoplastic infiltration of the myocardium. Palliative care was established with significant symptom relief. Assessment for cardiac metastases should be considered in patients with advanced lung cancer presenting with chest pain, new ECG findings, and normal CPK levels.     

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma associated with SAPHO syndrome difficult to differentiate from multiple bone metastasis

The patient was a 57-year-old man with a chief complaint of anterior chest pain who was diagnosed with clinical stage IV (c-T2N2M1) non-small-cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma). Tenderness in the sternoclavicular joint, acne, periodontitis, and palmoplantar pustulosis were evident, and SAPHO syndrome was diagnosed. SAPHO syndrome is a rare disorder that results in synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteomyelitis. Bone scintigraphy showed tracer accumulation in the costal cartilage, sternoclavicular joint, and cervical vertebrae 6-7. Although the bone lesions of SAPHO syndrome were difficult to differentiate from bone metastasis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, metastatic bone tumors were ruled out by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. There have been no previously reported cases of lung cancer with comorbid SAPHO syndrome. We report such a case and discuss the relevant literature, particularly that concerned with the evaluation of bone lesions.     

The musculoskeletal manifestations of cystic fibrosis

Twenty-seven patients with CF and joint complaints were reviewed. Twelve patients had arthritis, 11 had HPO, and four had symptoms of mechanical neck and back pain. We have confirmed the association of CF with an episodic form of arthritis. For the first time, we have reported that a subgroup of these patients later develop persistent synovitis with progressive asymmetric, erosive disease. The etiology of CF arthritis is unclear, but may relate to chronic infection and immune complex mechanisms. CF arthritis can be contrasted with CF induced HPO, which is associated with worse lung disease, a male predominance, and an older mean age of onset of symptoms. Mechanical neck and back pain may relate to an associated scoliosis or kyphosis in CF.     

On the Aetiology of Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy in Bronchogenic Carcinoma: Lack of Relationship to Elevated Growth Hormone Levels

Summary: The hypothesis that growth hormone (GH) may be of aetiological importance in hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO) and clubbing of the fingers in carcinoma of the lung has been examined.
Plasma GH was measured after the oral administration of glucose in 49 patients with carcinoma of the lung with and without HPO and clubbing and the levels were compared with those in age matched control subjects.
GH levels were higher in male patients with cancer at 90 and 120 minutes after glucose.
In 53% of patients with cancer, GH failed to suppress below 5 ng/ml 90 minutes after glucose, compared with 24% of controls ( p < 0.005). There was no correlation between abnormalities of GH metabolism and the presence of HPO or clubbing, and it is suggested that while some tumours produce GH or a G H-like substance, it is not responsible for these pathological changes.     

Insufficiency fractures of the distal tibia misdiagnosed as cellulitis in three patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We describe 3 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with diffuse pain, swelling, and erythema of the distal aspect of the lower extremity, suggestive of either cellulitis or thrombophlebitis, but were found to have insufficiency fractures of the distal tibia. The value of technetium-99m diphosphonate bone scintigraphy in the early recognition of these fractures and a possible explanation for the associated inflammatory symptoms are discussed.     

Application of genetic testing to define the surgical approach in a sporadic case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

We report the use of a genetic test for therapeutic decision making in a case of primary hyperparathyroidism associated with Cushing's disease (CD). A 20-year-old woman was evaluated for gradual weight gain, asthenia, muscle pain, and hypertension. Biochemical and radiologic tests confirmed CD and she underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Immunohistochemistry of the microadenoma was positive for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). On follow-up, hypercalcemia with high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels was detected, associated with nephrolithiasis and low bone mineral density in the spine and hip. Parathyroid scintigraphy showed tracer uptake in the inferior region of the left thyroid lobe, and cervical ultrasound showed a heterogeneous nodule in the same area, suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma (PA). Genetic testing detected mutation in the MEN 1 gene and total parathyroidectomy with the implantation of a fragment of one gland in the forearm was performed. Pathology showed a PA and 3 normal parathyroid glands, without hyperplasia, despite the diagnosis of MEN 1. This case illustrates the role of genetic testing in defining the therapeutic approach for sporadic MEN 1.     

Inflammatory joint disease: a comparison of liposome scanning, bone scanning, and radiography.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis were assessed by clinical evaluation, radiography, and joint scintigraphy using technetium labelled methylene diphosphonate (MDP) and technetium labelled liposomes. Although both scanning techniques were more sensitive than radiographs in detecting joint disease, the liposomes scans were positive only in clinically active inflammatory disease. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis liposome scintigraphy was also able to discriminate between different grades of joint tenderness. In inactive inflammatory polyarthropathies, although the MDP bone scans continued to show increased activity, the liposome scans did not and were therefore a more accurate reflection of the clinical state. The increased uptake in the liposome scans may be due to incorporation of the liposomes into the phagocytic cells of the synovium. This scan may, therefore, by reflecting the activity of cells involved in the disease process, provide a useful way of assessing disease activity and progression.     

Synovitis,acne, pustulosis,hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome with invisible organizing pneumonia: A case report

We report the case of a 59-year-old female patient, presenting with pustular rash on both hands and pain in the lumbosacral part and left lower limb. A magnetic resonance imaging examination of the left leg was undertaken and the result showed that a malignant lesion with bone destruction of the left femoral shaft could not be excluded. Subsequently, bone tumor was excluded by pathological examination. Lung computed tomography scan showed patchy consolidation and cord shadow in the middle left lung. Subsequently, lung cancer was excluded by pathological examination, and the histopathological changes of lung were consistent with those of organized pneumonia. Blood tests revealed elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, and human leukocyte antigen-B27 were unremarkable. Whole body bone scintigraphy via technetium 99m-methyl diphosphonate showed increased radionuclide uptake in the left middle femur. Based on her clinical manifestations, imaging results and bone scintigraphy, the patient was diagnosed as having synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome. Loxoprofen and Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F led to impressive clinical and radiologic improvement.     

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy associated with non-small cell lung cancer demonstrated growth hormone-releasing hormone by immunohistochemical analysis.

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO) associated with non-small cell lung cancer in a 58-year-old man was accompanied by an elevated serum level of growth hormone (GH). HPO rapidly disappeared after resection of the primary tumor and the elevation of serum GH was resolved. Immunohistochemically the tumor contained growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) but not GH. These findings suggest that the high serum GH level due to ectopic GHRH production in the tumor, was a contributing factor in HPO. This is the second reported case of non-small cell lung cancer which was immunohistochemically positive for GHRH associated with HPO.     

The role of scintigraphy with technetium-99m nanocolloid in patients with peripheral joint pain

We studied 51 patients with peripheral joint pain to assess the ability of technetium-99m-nanocolloid (^99mTc NC) scintigraphy to distinguish patients with active joint disease from those without, irrespective of their underlying aetiology. Patients with peripheral joint pain due to various causes were clinically categorised as either having objective signs of active joint disease or not. Their clinical diagnoses were not made known to the nuclear physician until after scanning. Each patient was given an intravenous injection of 555 MBq of ^99mTc NC 1 h prior to taking spot views of the peripheral joints. Seventeen patients with low backache but without peripheral joint pain were imaged in an identical manner to exclude peripheral joint involvement. The latter formed a control group. ^99mTc NC scintigraphy demonstrated a sensitivity of 89% for identifying at least one affected joint per patient, a specificity of 87.5%, a negative predictive value (npv) of 87.5%, a positive predictive value (ppv) of 89%, and overall accuracy of 88%. There were three false negative and three false positive cases. The scan was negative in all control subjects. ^99mTc NC scintigraphy proved to be sensitive in patients with active joint disease and demonstrated a good correlation with clinical assessment. The value of the high specificity, npv and negative controls together made the test highly discriminatory in excluding patients without active peripheral joint disease. Received: 20 October 2000 / Accepted: 15 March 2001     

Early psoriatic arthritis: the clinical spectrum

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical pattern of early psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS: We studied 47 consecutive patients: 29 had definite PsA and 18 had the "sine psoriasis" subset. Inclusion criteria were articular and/or entheseal involvement of < or =12 weeks' duration and the exclusive use, before enrollment, of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to control articular symptoms. All patients underwent clinical examination, blood tests, total-body bone scintigraphy, articular ultrasonography, and radiography of clinically involved joints and/or entheses. RESULTS: On the basis of clinical examination, early PsA was an oligo-enthesoarthritis in over 75% of patients studied. In contrast, the number of joints and/or entheses showing increased tracer uptake on bone scintigraphy was 3 times greater, compared to the clinical evidence (p < 0.001). Articular ultrasonography confirmed the inflammatory involvement of synovium and/or entheses in all articular sites active at time of bone scintigraphy, but silent at clinical examination. In addition, 7 patients showed the occurrence of joint and/or entheseal erosions on standard radiography. CONCLUSION: Bone scintigraphy yields a more accurate evaluation of entheso-articular involvement and distribution in patients with early PsA. Our results suggest that clinical oligo-enthesoarthritic presentation of early PsA might represent in most cases a polyarticular condition that is at increased risk for clinical progression. These findings have a significant influence on the clinical decision-making process in patients with early PsA.     

The usefulness of MIBI scintigraphy for postoperative monitoring of patients with thyroid cancer

Metoxyizobutyloizonitrile labelled with technetium 99mTc is a radio-pharmaceutical that was shown to accumulate in benign and cancerous thyroid tissue. As it can be applied without thyroid hormone withdrawal this gave a stimulus to the investigations on its usefulness in diagnostic and follow up procedures for thyroid cancer patients. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and benefit of 99mTc-MIBI whole body scintigrams in post surgery follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. One hundred and twenty eight 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy were performed and evaluated. Sensitivity of MIBI scans was the highest for bone metastases--79%. Good results were also obtained for lymph node metastases (sensitivity--73%, specificity--90%). In case of lung metastases the sensitivity and specificity were 21% and 94% respectively. Sensitivity of detection of clinically apparent recurrent disease in thyroid bed was 70% and specificity of visualization 78%. Results of our study demonstrate that 99mTC-MIBI is valuable tool in follow up of thyroid cancer patients, but can not replace 131I scintygraphy.     

Contrast-enhanced dynamic and static MRI correlates with quantitative 99Tcm-labelled nanocolloid scintigraphy. Study of early rheumatoid arthritis patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of contrast-enhanced dynamic and static magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and quantitative 99Tcm-labelled nanocolloid (NC) scintigraphy in detecting wrist joint inflammation in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight early RA patients (median symptom duration 5 months, range 1-12 months) underwent MRI, NC scintigraphy, laboratory and clinical examinations. Static wrist MRI scans were retrospectively scored for synovitis, bone oedema and erosions by two independent readers using the recently published rheumatoid arthritis MRI scoring system (RAMRIS). Twenty NC scans were analysed quantitatively by measuring maximum 99Tcm-NC uptake in three small areas of each wrist. From the same locations on the wrists, dynamic MRI gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhancement rates (E-rate) were measured. The average 99Tcm-NC uptake of the whole wrist region was also measured and average E-rates were calculated. Correlations between MRI and NC scintigraphy measurements were calculated. Correlations between imaging methods of the wrist and the global measures of inflammation (laboratory and clinical examinations) were also assessed. RESULTS: Strong correlations emerged between maximal 99Tcm-NC uptake and MRI E-rates, reflecting similar performance of the methods in detecting local synovial inflammation. 99Tcm-NC uptake and MRI E-rate correlated with semiquantitative scoring of synovitis and bone oedema from static MRI scans. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) correlated with MRI scores, E-rate and 99Tcm-NC uptake. No correlation between the clinical parameters and the imaging methods was detected. Inter-observer reliability for scoring synovial hypertrophy, bone oedema and bone erosions from static MR images were high (single-measure fixed-effects intra-class correlations 0.87, 0.93 and 0.91 respectively). Intra-observer reliability for E-rate and 99Tcm-NC measurements of 10 randomly picked scans was found to be high, with an intra-class correlation of 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.96 and 0.99; 95% CI 0.98-1.00, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Objective information about wrist joint inflammation can be obtained with contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI and quantitative 99Tcm-labelled NC scintigraphy. MRI also allows visualization and semiquantitative scoring of bone oedema and erosions of the wrist. Dynamic MRI and NC scintigraphy are safe and easy to perform, and they can be used in a long-term follow-up of rheumatoid patients.     

Usefulness of isotope diagnosis,ultrasound neck investigation and thyroglobulin assays in quantification of patients operated on for differentiated thyroid cancer and prepared for radioiodine treatment

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment of patients operated on differentiated thyroid carcinoma, using Tg serum assays and 131-I whole body scintigraphy. We investigated 208 patients aged from 15 to 78 yr. (mean 43.52, S.S. 16.37) including 182 females and 26 males. 183 cases of papillary cancer and 25 cases of follicular cancer were confirmed by pathologist. All the patients were investigated 6-8 weeks after thyreoidectomy. The following procedures were performed in all the patients: 1. ultrasound imaging. 2. 131 iodine uptake test, 24 hours after administration. 3. 131-I whole body scintigraphy (dose per patient 3 mCi, device Varicam). 4. TSH and Tg serum assay using FIA method. Moreover, all the tissue fragments obtained during surgery underwent histopathological assessment. RESULTS: The mean volume of the post-surgery thyroid tissue remains was 2.91 cc varying from 0 to 40. Volume was counted with Gutekunt's formula. Oncologically suspected lymph nodes were found in 8 cases. The mean TSH serum level was 79.31 (SD 59.59). The mean Tg serum level was 51.73 (SD 179). The mean value of an iodine uptake test was 6.96% (SD 6.69). Whole body scintigraphy discovered solitary thyroid site iodine uptake areas in 199 patients (95.7%). Additional uptake areas were observed in 4.3% 2 (0.9%) cases in cervical lymph nodes, 4 (1.9%) cases in lungs, 3 (1.5%) in bones. The correlation between investigations both laboratory and isotopic, and clinical state was observed in 207 cases (99.5%). The presence of high Tg serum level despite of absence of extracervical iodine uptake areas was observed in one case. We presume that the situation can be caused by the presence of multiple lung metastases not having possibility of iodine uptake. Ultrasound imaging, 131-I scintigraphy and Tg serum assays are essential methods in diagnosing and treatment process in the patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus-related hypercalcemia with ectopic calcinosis

We report a case of a 39-year-old female with active systemic lupus erythematosus who complained of lethargy and weakness with a moderate renal impairment. Hypercalcemia was confirmed by laboratory examination. Her X-ray revealed significant ectopic calcinosis in subcutaneous tissue of bilateral hands, and Tc-99^m methylene diphosphonate bone scan revealed a remarkably intense uptake of bilateral lungs. She had no evidence suggestive of other diseases related to hypercalcemia such as hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. She had abnormally high serum parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) which fell to normal after treatment. Glucocorticoid, cyclophosphamide plus calcitonin and etidronate were administered and the patient improved greatly. Literature review demonstrated that lupus-related hypercalcemia with ectopic calcinosis is a rare complication and increased PTHrP is probably one of the main mechanisms. Lung uptake in bone scan may be a special and reliable clue suggestive of hypercalcemia.     

Uptake rates of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 11C-choline in lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis: a positron emission tomography study

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the uptake rates of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and (11)C-choline in patients with lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and atypical mycobacterial infection of the lung by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with relation to their tumor size. DESIGN: Ninety-seven patients with untreated lung cancer, 14 patients with untreated pulmonary tuberculosis, and 5 patients with untreated atypical mycobacterial infection were examined. The diagnosis of lung cancer was confirmed pathologically after biopsy and surgery. The diagnosis of tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infection was confirmed by bacterial culture. The uptake rates of FDG and (11)C-choline were presented quantitatively as the standardized uptake value (SUV). SETTING: International Medical Center of Japan. RESULTS: In lung cancer patients, the SUV of FDG increased with increasing tumor size, whereas the SUV of (11)C-choline was almost constant at around 3.5 for every tumor size. In tuberculosis patients, the SUV of FDG increased with increasing tumor size, whereas the SUV of (11)C-choline was almost constant at around 2 for every tumor size. In atypical mycobacterial infection patients, the SUV of FDG and the SUV of (11)C-choline were equally low at around < or = 2. CONCLUSION: The differences in the SUVs of FDG and (11)C-choline in patients with lung cancer, tuberculosis, and atypical mycobacterial infection for the same tumor size (tumor size, > 1.5 cm) were distinct. In lung cancer patients, the SUVs of both FDG and (11)C-choline were high. In tuberculosis patients, the SUV of FDG was high, but the SUV of (11)C-choline was low. In atypical mycobacterial infection patients, the SUVs of both FDG and (11)C-choline were low. It may be possible to apply this principle to make a presumptive diagnosis of a solitary pulmonary nodule if it is too small to make a definitive diagnosis pathologically and bacteriologically.     

Insufficiency fracture of the acetabulum without apparent trauma

A 76-year-old woman presented history of left hip joint pain on walking, which occurred after she bent to move a planter. Plain radiographs showed no fracture. Bone scintigraphy revealed accumulation, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a low signal area on T1-weighted images. We diagnosed an insufficiency fracture and pain decreased naturally on conservative treatment. Insufficiency fracture of the acetabulum should be considered when elderly patients have hip joint pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy is most useful for the diagnosis.