[A solitary sternal lesion found by skeletal scintigraphy following treatment for breast carcinoma].
Breast carcinoma frequently metastasises to bone, most often to the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. 3 women, aged 66, 47 and 54 years, who had been previously treated for breast cancer presented with sternal pain. Bone scintigraphy revealed a solitary sternal hot spot in all 3 patients. In the final diagnosis, 1 patient had nonmalignant reactive changes, which required no further therapy; 1 patient had a bone metastasis, which was treated with radiation therapy and tamoxifen; and 1 patient had radionecrotic tissue, which was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Symptoms resolved in all 3 patients. Skeletal scintigraphy is the most sensitive method for detecting bone metastases, but it is not specific. Bone metastases are usually multifocal, but sometimes a solitary bone lesion is found. A solitary sternal metastasis must be differentiated from other sternal disorders. Various treatment options exist for patients who are ultimately diagnosed with a solitary sternal metastasis.
Vriens
B H R
BH
Medisch Spectrum Twente, Afd. Chirurgie, Postbus 50.000, 7500 KA Enschede.
Klaase
J M
JM
Schornagel
J H
JH
Bartelink
H
H
Rutgers
E J Th
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013249:Sternum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology