Quantitative radionuclide scanning in metabolic bone disease

A simple method of quantifying skeletal uptake of 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate, using a rectilinear scanner and a simultaneously image standard, is described. The pattern of quantified uptake in ten regions of the skeleton, the sacro-iliac joints and kidneys in 57 controls and 54 patients with various metabolic bone disease is presented. This method distinguishes patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteomalacia from controls with a sensitivity adequate for clinical purposes. In primary hyperparathyroidism the increased skull uptake of tracer correlated well with levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, plasma parathyroid hormone, urinary hydroxyproline excretion and the degree of intracortical resorption in the metacarpal bones. The skull uptake in oestoporosis was normal or moderately elevated and correlated well with bone mass density measurements of the radius. Patients with osteomalacia also showed the greatest increase in tracer uptake in the skull. Patients with thyrotoxicosis differed from most other patients by showing moderately increased uptake in shafts of long bones. We propose our method of quantitative bone uptake as a useful noninvasive test to detect metabolic bone disease and to monitor responses to therapy of bone disease.     

Postradiation sarcoma of bone in Hodgkin disease

We report 16 cases seen in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) during the past 50 years. These patients had been treated with external radiation for Hodgkin disease and had developed sarcomas in the field 4–31 years after the diagnosis of Hodgkin disease. Most of the tumors (12 of 16) occurred in the chest wall. There were three tumors of the pelvis and an unusual osteosarcoma of the femur following treatment for a primary Hodgkin disease of the femur. The tumors were predominantly osteosarcomas (9). In addition, there were five malignant fibrous histiocytomas, one fibrosarcoma, and one chondrosarcoma. Prognosis was poor; the mean survival was 12 months. Survival of patients with other primary cancers who developed radiation sarcomas was not significantly different from that of patients with Hodgkin disease. Hodgkin disease is now the most common tumor among radiation-induced sarcomas in previously normal bone and has surpassed breast cancer, which was previously the most common original tumor.     

Extramedullary hematopoiesis in Paget's disease of bone.

Two cases of Paget's disease of bone with radiographic manifestation of extramedullary hematopoiesis are described. While extramedullary hematopoiesis usually occurs as compensatory phenomenon in response to anemia, this was not the case in our patients. We believe pathologic fractures led to extrusion of hematopoietic marrow and resultant tumorous extramedullary hematopoiesis.     

Semi-quantitative interpretation of the bone scan in metabolic bone disease

Certain easily recognisable features are commonly seen in the bone scans of patients with metabolic bone disorders. Seven such features have been numerically graded by three independent observers in the scans of 100 patients with metabolic bone disease and of 50 control subjects. The total score for each patient is defined as the metabolic index. The mean metabolic index for each group of patients with metabolic bone disease is significantly greater than that for the control group (P<0.001).     

Bone marrow scintigraphy in Paget's disease of bone

Sixteen patients with 20 lesions of Paget's disease of bone were studied with bone marrow scintigraphy (colloid), bone tissue scintigraphy and radiography. Bone marrow scintigraphy showed normal or increased colloid uptake in 15 of 20 pagetic lesions, and decreased uptake in 4. Bone tissue scintigraphy showed increased metabolic activity in all lesions and was useful in detecting polyostotic disease as well as the extent of the lesions. Conventional radiography most often showed the typical appearance of Paget's disease, but the changes observed were sometimes difficult to differentiate from malignant disease. However, a preserved or increased reticuloendothelial function in the pagetic lesion contradicts metastatic disease as a differential diagnosis. Bone marrow scintigraphy with radiocolloid is a valuable method in the analysis of Paget's disease of bone.     

Paget's disease of bone mimicking metastases

Seven patients with Paget's disease, mimicking the radiographic appearance of metastatic disease, are illustrated. This disorder may simulate metastases if the simultaneous processes of bone resorption and new bone formation are not apparent, especially if there is no evidence of bone enlargement. Additional confusion may arise if the lesion is monostotic, has an unusual location, or occurs in a patient with known or suspected malignant disease.     

Tc-99m sestamibi bone marrow scintigraphy in Gaucher disease

PURPOSE: No imaging technique has been found to be adequate to assess the severity and extent of bone involvement in patients with Gaucher disease. Marrow involvement, as determined by Tc-99m sulfur colloid, correlated well with the clinical and radiologic changes of the skeleton, but a normal pattern was found in the early stages of the disease. Subsequently, Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) has been suggested for direct visualization of glycolipid deposits in the bone marrow. This study was initiated as a pilot using MIBI to detect various forms of bone disease in patients with Gaucher disease of varying severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (9 men; median age, 39.9; age range, 21 to 61 years) were evaluated. The clinical severity of disease was scored at presentation, and four patients with moderate to severe disease were treated with enzyme replacement therapy. Each patient underwent a radiographic skeletal survey, bone densitometry, and MIBI scintigraphy. The scan included static images of the lower limbs, with a whole-body scan acquired between the early and late acquisition. Tracer uptake in the bone marrow was graded and correlated with clinical and objective variables. RESULTS: All but one patient had increased MIBI uptake in the bone marrow. No correlation was noted between MIBI uptake and severity score, radiographic changes, densitometry z score, or treatment status. CONCLUSIONS: MIBI scanning is a sensitive technique for detecting bone marrow deposits in Gaucher disease, but it is inadequate for early identification of patients at high risk for skeletal complications or for the follow-up of patients treated with enzyme replacement.     

Bone scintigraphy and densitometry in symptomatic haemodialysis bone disease

Bone scintigraphy and densitometry (iodine-125 photon absorptiometry) were performed in eight patients with symptomatic haemodialysis bone disease. The bone scintiscan showed either hot spots or hyperactivity as a feature of metabolic bone disease. The bone density (BMC/W) was reduced, but could not be distinguished from the degree of demineralisation found in asymptomatic patients on longterm haemodialysis. Therefore, bone density measurements require critical interpretation. Complementary bone scintigraphy should be used in symptomatic haemodialysis bone disease for assessing the extent of the disease.     

The use of bone scintigraphy to detect active Hansen's disease in mutilated patients.

Mutilation of extremities was very frequent in patients affected by leprosy in the past; although it is now much less common, it is still seen, mainly in patients with long-term disease. In general, mutilation of the nose and ears is caused by the bacillus and mutilation of the hands and feet a consequence of chronic trauma. Leprosy must be chronically treated and any decision to interrupt therapy is based on laboratory tests and biopsy. Scintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure which could be of great value in to determining disease activity. We studied eight patients (five males and three females, aged 64-73 years) who presented with mutilation of the nose (2), ear (1), feet (3) or foot and hand (2). Conventional three-phase bone scintigraphy (750 MBq) and X-ray examinations of the affected areas were performed in all patients. Bone scintigraphy was abnormal in four patients (the presence of bacilli was confirmed by biopsy in two of them), and normal in the other four. In all patients except for the one with ear mutilation, radiography only showed the absence of bone. We conclude that bone scintigraphy is very useful to determine disease activity in cases of mutilation caused by leprosy. It seems to be superior to conventional radiography and may enable bone biopsies to be avoided.     

Chondrosarcoma of bone complicating Ollier's disease: report of a favourable response to radiotherapy

Because chondrosarcoma of bone is traditionally thought to be a radioresistant malignancy, it is usually managed surgically. We report a case of multifocal chondrosarcoma arising in Ollier's disease for which the patient declined surgery. He was given a course of radical radiotherapy that resulted in symptom palliation and a radiologically confirmed response before he died of disseminated disease. In patients with inoperable chondrosarcoma, radiotherapy can provide palliative benefit.     

Cat-scratch disease and bone scintigraphy

Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae. Bone involvement is rare. We describe the case of a 7-year-old boy with a systemic form of the disease. He presented with a 15-day history of fever, altered general condition, weight loss and cough, associated with back pain, and right-sided coxalgia. Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate showed spinal involvement, the iliac crest, the right ankle, and the right first metatarsal. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed these locations. He was positive for anti-Bartonella henselae. The fever regressed before treatment with rifampicin began, and he made a full recovery.     

Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease of bone is one of the most common diseases to affect bone, yet it is rare before the age of 50. The etiology of the condition remains unproven. Paget's disease of bone has become less common, less severe, and less extensive in recent decades. Isotope bone scans and radiographs remain the most frequent radiological investigations, demonstrating the extent of the disease and characteristic appearances in most cases. Recent changes in the radiological investigation of Paget's disease include increasing use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the evaluation of less typical disease or disease complications; the incidental finding of Paget's disease on CT or MR requires recognition to avoid inappropriate investigation. The presence of sclerotic Paget's disease in the lumbar spine or hip may elevate bone mineral density measurements at these sites, with consequent potential to underestimate fracture risk. Awareness of the normal level-to-level vertebral variation in bone density in the spine, and careful assessment of the images acquired on dual energy X ray absorptiometry or quantitative CT will help to avoid this pitfall. Examples of these investigations and the combination of Paget's disease with other conditions such as osteoarthritis, metastatic bone disease, and bone infection are illustrated.     

Malignant hypophosphathaemic bone disease

A case of crippling osteoporosis with muscular weakness, hypophosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, defective skeletal calcification and cartilage destruction is reported. The patient, a male was observed from the age of 2 1/2 until his death at the age of 33 years. This bone/cartilage disease failed to respond to phosphate supplementation, parathyroidectomy and calcitriol. We believe this may represent a hitherto undescribed entity.     

Gallium scanning in Paget's disease of bone: effect of calcitonin

Calcitonin has been used in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone, and serum alkaline phosphatase level and 24 hr urinary hydroxyproline excretion have been used to follow therapeutic response. The radionuclide bone scan has been used as a visual indicator; however, there is some uncertainty as to its value in following changes in disease activity. Four patients with both serial technetium phosphate bone scans and serial gallium studies were studied. In each case the beneficial effect of calcitonin was demonstrated more accurately with gallium than with technetium diphosphonate. Since biochemical changes in Paget's disease are believed to be mediated at the cellular level and gallium uptake depends on cellular activity, it is proposed that gallium uptake is a more appropriate measure of the activity of Paget's disease than a noncellular marker such as a technetium-containing bone scan agent.     

Paget disease of bone

Paget disease of bone, also known as osteitis deformans, is a nonmalignant disease of bone that causes accelerated and abnormal bone remodeling. It is the second most common bone disorder, osteoporosis being first. It is a localized disorder, meaning it affects just 1 or several bones in the body. Paget disease of bone is characterized by enlarged and deformed bones and occurs mainly in the axial skeleton. The cause of the disease is still not known entirely, but genetics are certain to be involved, and viral factors also are suspected.     

Photon-deficient finding in sternum on bone scintigraphy in patients with malignant disease

The sternum is known as a common site of bone metastasis in a variety of neoplasms. Sternal metastasis is usually visualized as hot spot on bone scintigraphy. However, photon deficiency in the sternum on bone scintigraphy is reported in few cases with malignancy. We undertook a retrospective analysis to clarify the clinical significance of photon deficiency in the sternum in 12 patients with malignancy. Twelve patients (five breast cancer, two multiple myeloma, one lung cancer, one renal cell cancer, one hepatocellular carcinoma, one malignant lymphoma, and one thyroid cancer) showing cold sternal metastasis on bone scintigraphy were identified among 9,430 patients in whom bone scintigraphy was performed. Except for two cases with pathologically confirmed sternal metastasis, all patients showed lytic change in the sternum on tomography or CT scan. Six cases of solitary sternal metastasis showed partial effect of systemic therapy (chemotherapy, humoral therapy, and radiation therapy) and surgical treatment. It is necessary to keep in mind that this type of lesion may occur as a manifestation of metastatic disease.     

Metabolic bone disease in pseudohypoparathyroidism: radiologic features

We reviewed the radiographs of six patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) manifested by variable renal and skeletal resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Features compatible with hyperparathyroid bone disease, osteomalacia, and rickets were observed. Skeletal changes of hyperparathyroidism included (a) subperiosteal bone resorption, (b) radiolucent lesions, caused by either brown tumors or bone cysts, (c) slipped capital femoral epiphyses, (d) focal areas of osteosclerosis, (e) periosteal neostosis, and (f) osteopenia with reduced cortical and trabecular bone volume. Histologic bone features were compatible with osteitis fibrosa in all patients, which suggests that the skeleton responded to the bone-remodeling effects of PTH despite hormonal resistance at other target sites. Skeletal changes of rickets included metaphyseal irregularities, cupping, and widening of the growth plates. Osteomalacia was indicated by Looser zones in one patient and confirmed by histologic evidence in three patients.     

Paget's disease of the bone in a Chinese woman

Paget's disease, otherwise known as osteitis deformans, is an unusual condition in the Oriental population. We report a case of Paget's disease in a Chinese woman, incidentally diagnosed on a bone scan. This was confirmed by clinical history, biochemistry and imaging findings using other modalities. Although bone scans are commonly performed to diagnose traumatic occult fractures and bone metastases, they can also be used to diagnose metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporotic fractures, and to evaluate Paget's disease. It can also diagnose acute fractures secondary to renal osteodystrophy and osteomalacia.     

Semi-quantitative interpretation of the bone scan in metabolic bone disease: definition and validation of the metabolic index.

Certain easily recognisable features are commonly seen in the bone scans of patients with metabolic bone disorders. Seven such features have been numerically graded by three independent observers in the scans of 100 patients with metabolic bone disease and of 50 control subjects. The total score for each patient is defined as the metabolic index. The mean metabolic index for each group of patients with metabolic bone disease is significantly greater than that for the control group (P less than 0.001).