Nonosseous accumulation of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals

Bone scintigrams are usually obtained for evaluation of skeletal abnormalities; soft-tissue abnormalities are often an unexpected finding. However, the recognition of specific conditions with extraskeletal accumulation of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals greatly enhances the diagnostic value of the study. Several examples of abnormal nonosseous uptake in both neoplastic and nonneoplastic processes involving the brain, lung, heart, breast, bowel, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, kidney, and bladder are presented. Examples of artifactual uptake in the soft tissues are also described. Causes for nonosseous accumulation are discussed.