Skeletal distribution and biochemical parameters of Paget's disease

Quantitative bone scans were performed with 99mTc-EHDP in 170 untreated pagetic patients (93 men, 77 women; mean age, 65.4 years). The distribution of 863 pagetic skeletal locations was analyzed. Bone scans demonstrated 8.3% more pagetic sites than roentgenograms. The extent of Paget's disease was evaluated in each patient by a scintigraphic skeletal index. This index correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) and urinary hydroxyproline (HyPro) levels, and also with hypocalcemic acute response to calcitonin. The correlation of SAP with an index of activity (extent index adjusted by uptake ratios) was better than with the nonadjusted index. Only 30.6% of pagetic sites were responsible for clinical symptoms. No correlation was found between age and skeletal index of the disease.