Bone imaging in patients with unexpected elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase

Radionuclide bone imaging frequently is requested to evaluate clinically unexpected persistent elevations in serum alkaline phosphatase. To assess the efficacy of this practice, the authors reviewed bone images obtained for this purpose during a 12-month period and correlated the results with clinical data. One hundred nineteen patients were included in the study. Arthritic changes were the abnormalities most frequently present on the bone images. Several cases of occult bone metastasis, Paget's disease, and trauma were also detected in this group of patients. The authors continue to recommend bone imaging in patients with unexpected elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase; however, further prospective studies with larger and different patient populations are needed to justify this practice in the present era of cost-effectiveness.