title: Technetium-99m MDP scintigraphy. An insensitive tool for the detection of bone marrow metastases.
abstract: Seventy-nine cases with known carcinoma of the lung or breast who underwent both bone marrow aspiration and Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy were reviewed. The bone images were assessed for the presence of the pattern of bone marrow expansion which is visualized by diffuse increased metaphyseal activity, particularly evident at the knees, ankles, and elbows. This pattern was found to be an insensitive marker for the presence of marrow metastases (sensitivity 15%). The specificity of the finding was 86%. When diffuse increased metaphyseal activity is present on a Tc-99m MDP bone scan in a patient with malignant disease, the possibility of bone marrow metastases should be pursued by marrow aspiration and biopsy.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
chemical_list: D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate