Accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate in four patients with hepatic neoplasm: case reports

The accumulation of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals in extraosseous lesions has been reported in patients with myocardial infarctions, cerebral infarctions, and some soft-tissue tumors. While the precise mechanisms involved remain uncertain, the spectrum of abnormalities exhibiting such accumulation increases. In our laboratory, 99mTc-diphosphonate concentrated in four hepatic tumors (one cholangiocarcinoma and three metastases from colon carcinoma). This property of phosphate-related radiopharmaceuticals has not been reported previously. Awareness of the possibility of focal diphosphonate accumulation in the liver should help avoid confusion with right lower rib-cage metastasis or pleural effusion.