Comparative detectability of bone metastases and impact on therapy of magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy in patients with breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the comparative impact of magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy in bone metastases of breast cancer.


METHODS
in 81 patients with histologically proven breast cancer magnetic resonance imaging of the axial skeleton and whole-body bone scintigraphy had been performed. Images were retrospectively reviewed and compared for detection of metastases, extent of metastatic disease and therapeutic implications according to the patients' records.


RESULTS
about 54/81 (67%) patients revealed bone metastases. In 7/54 (13%) patients with bone metastases, scintigraphy was false negative. In one patient a solitary sternal metastases was seen. In 26/53 [49%] patients with spinal metastases, magnetic resonance imaging showed more extensive disease. Local radiotherapy or surgery was indicated in ten patients with metastases not evident in bone scintigraphy, in 20 patients with positive results by both imaging modalities and in six patients with metastases of pelvis imaged by bone scintigraphy only.


CONCLUSIONS
magnetic resonance imaging of the axial skeleton and pelvis appears superior for staging as only one patient had metastases merely outside the axial skeleton and local therapy was indicated even in spinal regions negative in bone scintigraphy.
Altehoefer
C
C
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. alca@mrs1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Ghanem
N
N
Högerle
S
S
Moser
E
E
Langer
M
M
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors