title: 99mTc bone scintigraphy superscans: a review.
abstract: Whole-body bone scintigraphy (bone scan) using a (99m)Tc-labelled pharmaceutical is one of the most commonly performed radionuclide examinations. In the normal patient, both the osseous components of the skeletal system as well as the kidneys and bladder are visualized. A superscan is defined as a bone scan which demonstrates markedly increased skeletal radioisotope uptake relative to soft tissues, in association with absent or faint genito-urinary tract activity. While a superscan is relatively uncommon, its recognition is important, as it is associated with a number of important underlying diseases. The purpose of this review article is to describe the causes and variable features of a superscan and depict patterns which may aid in defining the underlying cause for the scan. In addition, we will discuss other investigations that may help further to identify the underlying disease in such cases.
authors.affiliation: AMNCH, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. orla.buckley@amnch.ie
authors.forename: Orla
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Geoghegan
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Lyburn
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Munk
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Worsley
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Torreggiani
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013667:Technetium; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013667:Technetium