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Visualization of soft tissue by technetium-99m MDP in polymyositis. Case reports
1Department of Radiology, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Technetium Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scans revealed abnormal muscle uptake in two polymyositis patients. This imaging technique is valuable for monitoring muscle disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Polymyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by symmetrical muscle weakness.
- Routine bone scintigraphy is typically used to detect bone metastases or metabolic bone disease.
Observation:
- Two patients diagnosed with polymyositis exhibited unexpected focal increased uptake in muscles on Technetium Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone imaging.
- This muscular uptake was observed during standard bone scans performed for other indications.
Findings:
- The abnormal muscular uptake of Tc-99m MDP in polymyositis patients suggests that bone-seeking radiotracers can accumulate in inflamed muscle tissue.
- The intensity of uptake may correlate with the degree of muscle inflammation and disease activity.
Implications:
- Technetium Tc-99m MDP bone imaging may serve as a potential non-invasive tool for assessing and monitoring disease activity in polymyositis.
- Further research is warranted to validate the utility of Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy in the management of inflammatory myopathies.