Discordant findings of skeletal metastasis between tc 99M MDP bone scans and F18 FDG PET/CT imaging for advanced breast and lung cancers--two case reports and literature review.
Traditionally, Tc 99m methyl diphosphate (MDP) bone scintigraphy provides high-sensitivity detection of skeletal metastasis from breast and lung cancers in regular follow-up. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), based on the glucose metabolism of malignant cells, plays a role in describing tumor growth, proliferation of neoplasm and the extent of metastasis. In general, concordant findings of skeletal metastasis are seen on both types of image, especially in cases of breast and lung cancer. However, there were extremely discordant findings of skeletal metastasis between bone scans and F 18 FDG PET/CT imaging in two cases among 300 consecutive F 18 FDG PET/CT follow-up exams of patients with malignancies, during the past year, in our center. Both cases, one of breast cancer and one of lung cancer, had negative bone scintigraphic findings, but a diffusely high grade of F 18 FDG avid marrow infiltration in the axial spine, leading to the diagnosis of stage IV disease in both cases. Owing to variant genetic aberrance of malignance, F 18 FDG PET/CT reveals direct evidence of diffuse, rapid neoplasm metabolism in the bone marrow of the spine, but not of secondary osteoblastic reactions in vivo . F 18 FDG PET/CT should always be employed in the follow-up of patients with malignancies.
Chen
Yu-Wen
YW
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, and College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huang
Ming-Yii
MY
Hsieh
Jan-Sing
JS
Hou
Ming-Fung
MF
Chou
Shah-Hwa
SH
Lin
Chih-Liang
CL
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate