Skeletal scintigraphy as an important complement for detecting bone metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Wei-Jheng Yen1, Chih-Ting Liu1, Ya-Min Chi1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung.
Abstract:
Bone metastasis occurs frequently in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Although fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) has been proven to be more sensitive at detecting bone metastases than Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate skeletal scintigraphy in pretreatment patients with NPC in most clinical settings, there have been metastatic lesions that were positive on skeletal scintigraphy but negative on PET/CT scans. Herein, we report the case of a patient with stage IV NPC that manifested as multiple metabolically abnormal lesions on pretreatment skeletal scintigraphy and were considered malignant although they were negative on PET/CT examination. Follow-up evaluations with both skeletal scintigraphy and PET/CT scans as post-therapeutic imaging are also presented.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...