[A comparison of planar scintigraphy and MRI in the screening of skeletal metastases].
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we aimed to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and planar scintigraphy findings of patients with known or suspected skeletal metastases.


METHODS
Twenty eight patients (13 women, 15 men) ranging from 35 to 63 years old, underwent whole body MRI with coronal plane turboSTIR sequence and Tc 99m methylene diphosphonate planar scintigraphy for detecting skeletal metastases.


RESULTS
MRI showed metastases in 20 cases, whereas scintigraphy was positive in 23 cases. In 2 patients where scintigraphy showed 4 lesions, MRI showed them to be degenerative changes. In 3 patients scintigraphy showed 4 metastases that were not seen on MRI. In 7 patients extraskeletal metastases were identified by MRI alone. Statistical analysis showed exact correlation between both techniques (Mc Nemar p = 0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that whole-body MRI is as effective as scintigraphy in skeletal metastases. In the future, developments in MRI technology, increases in the number of MRI units and new studies may make MRI an alternative screening technique to scintigraphy.
Silit
Emir
E
GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi, Radyoloji Servisi, Istanbul.
Başekim
C Cinar
CC
Mutlu
Hakan
H
Pekkafali
Zekai
Z
Kizilkaya
Eşref
E
Karsli
A Fevzi
AF
D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004164:Diphosphonates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D004164:Diphosphonates; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C114890:technetium 99m methylene bisphosphonate