[Skeletal scintigraphy in diseases of the psoriasiform group. A study in 182 patients]

Bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-EHDP was carried out in 147 psoriatics of both sexes and in 35 nonpsoriatic patients. The psoriatics were subdivided into four groups according to clinical aspects: psoriasis vulgaris (Pv, n = 55), psoriasis inversa (Pinv, n = 32), psoriasis pustulosa of the Königsbeck-Barber type (PpK-B, n = 28), and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (Ppp, n = 32). The following frequencies of joint involvement were found in the different groups: Pv = 18.3%; Pinv = 22.6%, PpK-B = 11.1%; Ppp = 12.5%; control group 2.3%. In patients suffering from psoriasis vulgaris and psoriasis inversa a pathologic preferential radionuclide uptake was demonstrated in the small peripheral joints of the hands and fingers. The characteristic psoriatic pattern with axial and transverse joint involvement was found in all groups of psoriatic patients. No correlation could be proved between age and pathologic accumulation of the radionuclide or between duration of psoriasis and joint involvement. The so-called anterior chest wall syndrome was found in all patients, but predominantly in those with psoriasis palmaris et plantaris. Finally the indications for bone scintigraphy are discussed.