title: Skeletal scintigraphic changes in osteoporosis treated with sodium fluoride: concise communication.
abstract: An appendicular skeletal response to sodium fluoride (NaF) was detected by total skeletal scintigrams. Twelve postmenopausal osteoporotic women were treated with NaF (88 mg/day) and calcium (1500 mg/day). Total skeletal scintigrams were obtained before and during treatment. Within 4 to 21 mo (mean: 8.3), all 12 patients showed new areas of increased uptake corresponding to metaphyseal regions and short bones of the appendicular skeleton. The number of peripheral bones involved in each subject ranged from four to 12. The most frequently involved sites (11 of 12 patients) were the right distal femur and proximal tibia. Nine patients showed an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase activity, which was attributed to an increase in the skeletal isoenzyme. Seven of 12 patients developed bone pain in one or more of the regions of increased uptake. This study establishes that the skeletal scintigram is a sensitive index of the peripheral skeletal response to NaF.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002119:Calcium Carbonate