Simultaneous demonstration of pleural effusion and ascites by technetium-99m sulfur colloid liver-spleen scintigraphy

Scintigraphic evidence of ascites has been observed in Tc-99m sulfur colloid studies of the liver and spleen, in Tc-99m HIDA hepatobiliary scans, in Ga-67 citrate scans, and in Tc-99m phosphonate bone images. Pleural effusion has been demonstrated in Tc-99m phosphonate bone scintigraphy. The case of a 48-year-old man whose Tc-99m sulfur colloid liver-spleen scintigram simultaneously demonstrated a right pleural effusion and ascites is presented.     

Positive gallium-67 citrate uptake in a patient with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon bone condition with characteristic radiologic features. It is well known that there is increased uptake of Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP) and methylene diphosphonate (MDP) in fibrous dysplasia. There are no reports of uptake of Ga-67 citrate by fibrous dysplasia. A case is reported in which positive Ga-67 uptake was seen in a patient with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.     

Scintigraphic evaluation of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible in SAPHO syndrome

A patient with SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) was evaluated by combined scintigraphy. (99m)Tc HMDP scintigraphy showed accumulation in the sternum and lumbar vertebrae as well as the right mandible, whereas (67)Ga citrate showed an accumulation in the right mandible, but not in the sternum or lumbar vertebrae. These results are consistent with chronic osteomyelitis in the mandible.     

Primary Ewing sarcoma: follow-up with Ga-67 scintigraphy

While avid accumulation of gallium-67 citrate and technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) occurs initially in most cases of primary Ewing sarcoma, uptake after therapy is less well defined. Thirty patients with Ewing sarcoma who underwent Ga-67 and bone scintigraphy at diagnosis, at completion of therapy, and at relapse from 1978 to 1988 were evaluated. All 30 patients showed less primary site Ga-67 activity following therapy. Twenty-three of 28 patients who underwent corresponding bone scintigraphy showed less uptake, but residual activity was usually more intense than with Ga-67. Avid reaccumulation of Ga-67 occurred in four of five patients with primary site relapse, while patients who underwent bone scintigraphy showed less change. It was concluded that a greater decrease in Ga-67 than in Tc-99m MDP uptake often occurs in patients successfully treated for primary Ewing sarcoma. Information obtained at Ga-67 scintigraphy is most likely to be helpful if results of bone scintigraphy remain abnormal or if occult relapse is suspected.     

Comparative evaluation of technetium-99m glucoheptonate and gallium-67 citrate thoracic imaging in detection of mediastinal and hilar involvement in primary lung cancer

Fifty-two patients with proven primary lung cancer who were referred for mediastinoscopy were prospectively studied with Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Ga-67 citrate thoracic scintigraphy. Primary lung tumors concentrated Ga-67 in 92% of cases, compared to 88% for Tc-99m glucoheptonate. Mediastinoscopy confirmed the presence of mediastinal metastases in 23 patients. The sensitivity of Tc-99m glucoheptonate and Ga-67 scans for mediastinal involvement detection is respectively 52% and 83%, for a specificity of 100% (Tc-99m glucoheptonate) and 88% (Ga-67). Twenty-nine patients underwent thoracotomy after a negative mediastinoscopy. Hilar metastatic involvement was present in eight patients. The sensitivity and the specificity for detection of hilar involvement were respectively 63% and 95% for Tc-99m glucoheptonate and 88% and 78% for Ga-67. Although more specific than Ga-67 scan, Tc-99m glucoheptonate thoracic imaging cannot be recommended in the staging of lung cancer because of its low sensitivity in the detection of intrathoracic metastatic spread of primary lung carcinoma.     

Applications of nuclear medicine in pediatric oncology.

Nuclear medicine is important in the diagnosis, staging, and long-term surveillance of a number of pediatric cancers. Skeletal scintigraphy is used to evaluate primary skeletal cancers, such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, and nonskeletal cancers such as neuroblastoma, lymphoma, medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and retinoblastoma. Metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy is valuable in examinations of children with neuroblastoma. The therapeutic response of primary bone and brain tumors can be assessed using Tl-201 and Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy. Imaging strategies for staging and monitoring the therapeutic response of Hodgkin's lymphoma include Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy. Pediatric oncologic applications of positron emission tomography are being investigated extensively.     

Comparison of Tc-99m HIG and Ga-67 citrate in the evaluation of bacterial abscess in a rat model

Tc-99m labeled polyclonal human immunoglobulin (HIG) has been shown to be able to localize an inflammatory site. There are several possible explanations for HIG accumulation at focal infection sites such as increased vascular permeability, binding of the Fc part of Ig to Fc receptors of leucocytes and binding directly to bacteria. In this study, we compared Tc-99m HIG and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy in localizing acute bacterial abscesses induced byE. coli andS. aureus. Serial scintigrams were performed at 1, 4, 24 hr after injection. Tc-99m HIG showed greater accumulation at all times with both infectious agents than Ga-67 citrate (p < 0.05). While Tc-99m HIG showed greater accumulation inS. aureus thanE. coli (p < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference betweenE. coli andS. aureus (p > 0.05) by Ga-67 citrate. Our study suggests that Tc-99m HIG is a superior agent to Ga-67 and bacterial affinity can be a factor responsible for HIG accumulation at focal sites of inflammation.     

Scintigraphic detection of osteomyelitis with Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate: concise communication

Using both Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate and gallium-67 citrate, images of the lower extremities in New Zealand white rabbits were obtained on sequential days after inoculation of tibias with Staphylococcus aureus. Gallium-67 scintigraphy was positive earlier in the course of infection than Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy. In addition to 4-hr Ga-67 scintigrams, 24-hr and 48-hr scintigrams were obtained, contributing substantially to interpretation. However, 72-hr Ga-67 scintigrams contributed little additional information.     

Detectability of metastatic bone tumor by Ga-67 scintigraphy

Ga-67 scintigrams in patients with malignant diseases sometimes reveal uptake of the tracer in the bone metastases. Detectability of Ga-67 scintigraphy for metastatic bone tumors and benign bone lesions was compared with that of Tc-99m bone scintigraphy. Countable bone metastases detected by bone scintigraphy were evaluated whether the lesion showed apparent, faint, or negative Ga-67 uptake. Of 47 lesions 23 (49%) showed apparent uptake and 17 (36%) showed negative uptake. On the other hand, of 71 benign bone lesions, only 7 (10%), mostly fracture/osteotomy, showed apparent uptake of the tracer. Uptake in the other benign lesions such as trauma of the ribs, spondylosis deformans, and arthrosis deformans was rather faint. In patients with multiple bone metastases, 9 patients (82%) out of 11 showed more prominent abnormal findings in Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy than in Ga-67 scintigraphy; that is, Ga-67 scintigraphy was not able to reveal all metastatic bone lesions. In patients with untreated or recurrent tumors, relation between Ga-67 uptake in the tumors and that in the bone metastases was evaluated. Of 7 patients with negative Ga-67 uptake in the primary tumors, 5 showed positive Ga-67 uptake in the bone metastases; that is, there seemed to be little relation between Ga-67 affinity to the primary tumors and that to the bone metastases. Mechanisms of the Ga-67 uptake in the bone metastases were discussed. Not only the tumor cells or tissues in the bone metastases but also bone mineral or osteoclasts might be the deposition sites of Ga-67.     

Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) and Ga-67 concentration in soft tissue malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH): Case report

A case of calcifying soft tissue malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) which showed a concentration of Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate, is presented. Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphies of the thigh mass were correlated with conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT) and angiography.     

Multifocal Pott's disease (tuberculous spondylitis) incidentally detected on Tc-99m MDP bone and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy in a patient with diabetes

Pott's disease is an uncommon extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis. Delay in diagnosis and management may cause serious complications. The authors describe Pott's disease incidentally detected on Tc-99m MDP bone and Ga-67 imaging in a patient with diabetes. Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy showed intensely increased uptake in the lower cervical spine and lumbosacral regions. Ga-67 scintigraphy revealed intensely increased uptake corresponding to the areas noted on Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed destructive lesions in the C5-C6 and L5-S1 intervertebral discs with destruction of adjacent end plates. Biopsy of the lumbosacral area was guided by computed tomography, and histologic examination of the bone specimen showed caseation, giant cells, and acid-fast bacilli. Posterior decompression and posterolateral spinal fusion with bone grafts were performed. Antituberculous chemotherapy with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol was started. The patient showed remarkable relief of symptoms during a period of 9 months of therapy. Both Tc-99m MDP bone and Ga-67 imaging can offer the convenience of screening the entire body to detect multiple sites of Pott's disease.     

Relapsing polychondritis diagnosed by Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: Relapsing polychondritis is a generalized recurring disease of cartilage that involves joints, trachea, bronchi, laryngeal cartilages, costal cartilages, and cartilages of the ear and nose. It is associated with autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto disease in some cases. METHODS: The authors evaluated a 29-year-old man with relapsing polychondritis who had symptoms and signs of a common cold for 2 months and anterior chest pain near the sternum for 1 month. RESULTS: After the diagnosis, the authors found that the patient had a history of thyroid therapy for hyperthyroidism 15 years before. Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy performed to evaluate anterior chest pain showed diffusely increased accumulation of radioactivity in all costocartilages and sternoclavicular joints. Based on that information, relapsing polychondritis was diagnosed. Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy was preformed to determine the optimum biopsy site of the cartilage. The diagnosis was histologically supported by the results of the open biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy was useful for diagnosing relapsing polychondritis, and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy was helpful in determining the biopsy site.     

Neuroblastoma: imaging evaluation by sequential Tc-99m MDP, I-131 MIBG, and Ga-67 citrate studies

Fourteen children with histopathologically confirmed neuroblastoma underwent sequential correlative imaging studies using I-131 MIBG, Tc-99m MDP, and Ga-67 citrate during various stages of the disease. Of the patients 86% showed I-131 MIBG accumulation in the primary tumoral site, whereas 71% showed Tc-99m MDP and 79% Ga-67 citrate uptake. In 86% at least one of the two latter radiopharmaceuticals concentrated in the primary tumor. The use of all three radiopharmaceuticals raised the detection rate to 93%. Of the osseous or extraosseous metastases 100% were detected by Tc-99m MDP studies. The I-131 MIBG studies were positive in 71% of the osseous metastases and in 70% of the extraosseous metastases. No Ga-67 citrate uptake was demonstrated in osseous metastases, although one extraosseous lung metastasis concentrated this radiopharmaceutical. Tc-99m MDP bone imaging was the best method for diagnosing metastatic spread of the disease and for monitoring the results of treatment. Primary tumor uptake was best indicated by I-131 MIBG. Both Ga-67 citrate and I-131 MIBG were superior to Tc-99m MDP with regard to accurately demonstrating the extent of primary tumors. Only Tc-99m MDP indicated the relationship of these tumors to the kidneys and neighboring osseous structures, providing early screening of kidney compression. Ga-67 citrate study was mainly indicated in tumors with catecholamine depletion, which failed to concentrate the other two radiopharmaceuticals. I-131 MIBG proved especially useful in detecting neuroblastoma with negative Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 citrate studies and also proved to be helpful with those cases in which I-131 MIBG was planned for therapy. The following strategy is suggested for evaluating neuroblastoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Determination of extent and activity with radionuclide imaging in Erdheim-Chester disease.

Erdheim-Chester disease usually involves the diaphyseal and metaphyseal regions of tubular bones and various visceral organs. A 56-year-old woman presented with the histologically confirmed diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease. A Tc-99m MDP bone scan revealed the entire extent of the skeletal disease and showed unusual involvement of the epiphyses and axial skeleton. In addition to MRI, a Ga-67 citrate scan including SPECT showed extensive soft-tissue infiltration of different organs. Both Tc-99m MDP and Ga-67 scintigraphy are useful tools in determining the distribution of this rare disease.     

Subacute and chronic bone infections: diagnosis using In-111, Ga-67 and Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy, and radiography

The usefulness of indium-111 white blood cell scintigraphy in the diagnosis of subacute or chronic bone infection was examined in 21 orthopedic patients. In-111 WBC imaging was compared with gallium-67 and technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate skeletal scintigraphy and bone radiography, all studies being performed within 1 week. In-111 WBC scintigraphy showed no definite advantage over Ga-67 scintigraphy in the identification of chronic bone infection. The two tests had the same sensitivity (80%) and similar specificity (In-111 WBC 75%, Ga-67 83%; difference not significant). Bone radiography had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 67%. A negative Tc-99m MDP bone scintigram ruled out infection (sensitivity 100%), but because of low specificity (25%), final evaluation required performance of Ga-67 or In-111 WBC scintigraphy.     

Multifocal primary lymphoma of bone: scintigraphy and MR findings before and after treatment

A case of multifocal primary lymphoma of bone is reviewed. Ga-67 citrate, Tc-99m HMDP, and Tl-201 scintigraphs all showed multifocal radiotracer accumulation. CT showed subtle osteolytic and osteosclerotic changes with surrounding soft tissue density mass. MRI clearly showed abnormal signal intensity in the bone marrow. After systemic chemotherapy and infield radiotherapy, the patient showed clinically complete remission. MRI showed reduction of the extraosseous components, but there was little signal change in the bone marrow despite the clinical response to the therapy. Scintigrams were more useful than MRI and CT for both staging and assessing the early response to therapy. The soluble interleukin-2 receptor level was found to be related to tumor cell activity.     

Observations on the sequential use of Tc-99m phosphonate and Ga-67 imaging in untreated primary and secondary malignant tumors of the head and neck

Scintigraphy using both Tc-99m phosphonate and Ga-67 was performed in 55 cases of untreated primary and secondary tumors of the head and neck. In 21 patients with primary tumors of jaws, eye, tongue, or parotid gland, Ga-67 scintigraphy visualized the primary tumor in all cases and metastases in 12. Scintigraphy using Tc-99m phosphonate disclosed primary bone involvement in 12 cases and skeletal metastases in two. In eight of 13 patients with metastatic lesions of jaws and skull, bone scintigraphy showed skeletal metastases. In seven of these patients, Ga-67 scintigraphy detected the primary tumor and in 11 cases detected metastases. Bone scintigraphy disclosed skeletal metastases in six of 21 patients with malignant neck tumors. In 13 of these patients, Ga-67 scintigraphy visualized the primary tumor, whereas it showed metastases in seven. It is concluded that Ga-67 scintigraphy should be used in the investigation of untreated primary or secondary malignant tumors of the head and neck. Bone scintigraphy may be indicated as an additional study in selected cases only.     

Poor accumulation of technetium-99m glucoheptonate in sarcoidosis and other diffuse infiltrative lung diseases as compared with gallium-67 citrate

Forty-two patients with diffuse infiltrative lung diseases were imaged with Ga-67 citrate and Tc-99m glucoheptonate (GH). Twenty patients had sarcoidosis, six had fibrosis, six had tuberculosis, nine had lung infiltration, and one had pleural empyema. The main difference between Ga-67 and Tc-99m GH was the much greater uptake of Ga-67 in sarcoidosis than that of Tc-99m GH. Fifteen patients with sarcoidosis had positive Ga-67 scans but only six had positive Tc-99m GH scans. The results in other diffuse infiltrative lung diseases were almost equal with Ga-67 and Tc-99m GH. Although Tc-99m GH is less expensive and simpler to use, it is not an adequate substitute for Ga-67 in diffuse infiltrative lung diseases.     

Tl-201 uptake in brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism.

Tl-201 chloride bone scans were performed on nine patients with primary hyperparathyroidism just after Tl-201 and Tc-99m parathyroid subtraction scintigraphy. Bone lesions accumulate Tl-201, especially in sites of brown tumor formation. This was proven by the histopathologic examination of two patients. Eight patients had bone scans with Tc-99m MDP. The lesion-to-background ratio was quantified in seven patients for Tl-201 and in four patients for Tc-99m MDP. Tl-201 uptake of the lesions were quantified in two patients. The lesion-to-background ratio was 1.63 +/- 0.21 and 2.51 +/- 0.88 for Tl-201 and Tc-99m MDP, respectively. A Ga-67 citrate scan was performed on one patient, and the lesion-to-background ratio was 1.49 +/- 0.06. The accumulation of Tl-201 in brown tumors of bone might be due to increased blood flow and local metabolic activity. Tl-201 chloride was inferior to Tc-99m MDP in lesion detection. It is concluded that bone imaging with Tl-201 can easily be performed following parathyroid subtraction scintigraphy to delineate the sites of brown tumor formation.     

Tc-99m hexamethylpropylene-amine oxine (HM-PAO) uptake in a bone metastasis

Uptake of Tc-99m Hexamethylpropylene-amine Oxine (HM-PAO) was seen in bone metastases from carcinoma of the lung. The uptake was prominent when compared to Tc-99m MDP, I-123 IMP, and Ga-67 citrate. Brain imaging with Tc-99m HM-PAO and N-isopropyl-p-[I-123] iodoamphetamine (IMP) is now frequently performed. Uptake of these agents has been reported in brain tumors and melanomas. In this report, uptake of Tc-99m HM-PAO in a metastatic lesion in bone is discussed.