Related Experiment Videos
Localization of a bone imaging agent in a calcified hematoma
W J Shih1, J K Han, S Brandenburge
1Nuclear Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
|May 14, 1999
Summary
Calcified hematoma in a patient with chronic renal failure showed intense uptake on bone scans. This finding highlights potential diagnostic challenges in secondary hyperparathyroidism patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) frequently leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism.
- Bone biopsies are sometimes necessary for diagnosing renal osteodystrophy in CRF patients.
- Soft-tissue calcification is a known complication in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Observation:
- A patient with CRF and secondary hyperparathyroidism developed a calcified soft-tissue hematoma after an iliac bone biopsy.
- A palpable mass was noted in the lower abdominal wall at the site of the hematoma.
- This mass demonstrated intense uptake on technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-HMDP) scintigraphy.
Findings:
- The intense radiotracer uptake on the bone scan accurately localized the calcified hematoma.
- The imaging finding correlated directly with the physical examination finding of a palpable mass.
- This case illustrates an unusual presentation of soft-tissue calcification in a CRF patient.
Implications:
- Calcified hematomas can mimic other pathologies on bone scintigraphy.
- Radiologists and clinicians should consider soft-tissue calcification in the differential diagnosis for abnormal uptake in CRF patients.
- This case underscores the importance of correlating imaging findings with clinical presentation.