Quantitative bone scintigraphy. A methodological evaluation in prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a simple method for quantification of focal activity in bone scintigraphy (BS).


METHODS
The gamma camera was calibrated using a phantom. Quantitative bone scintigraphy (QBS) was performed on 11 men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa), for whom routine BS showed involvement of the skeleton. Following endocrine therapy for 4 to 8 months, a second QBS was performed. Changes in QBS values were then compared to changes in serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).


RESULTS
PSA response indicating regression of PCa was accompanied by a decrease in the QBS value in 8 of the 11 patients. The overall mean error of the QBS values was 15%.


CONCLUSIONS
QBS according to this method is a relatively simple procedure that might contribute to objective evaluation of therapeutic effects in skeletal metastases, although its validity must be tested in a larger clinical material.
Rydh
A
A
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Umeå University Hospital, Sweden.
Ahlström
K R
KR
Larsson
A
A
Johansson
L
L
Damber
J E
JE
Tomiç
R
R
Hietala
S O
SO
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D015902:Gamma Cameras; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen