Fibrous Dysplasia With Atypical Bilateral Upper Extremity Pattern
Amy Chang1, Nathan Franssen, Karine Sahakyan
1From the Department of Radiology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|December 12, 2023
Summary
This study highlights a rare case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (FD) in a 63-year-old woman's upper extremities. Nuclear medicine scans aided in diagnosing this atypical presentation, crucial for risk stratification.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Skeletal Dysplasias
Background:
- Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disorder typically affecting younger individuals and presenting unilaterally, often in the lower limbs, skull, mandible, or pelvis.
- Bilateral and late-onset presentations of FD are uncommon, making diagnosis challenging and often leading to misdiagnosis, such as malignancy.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old woman presented with suspected malignancy.
- A 99mTc-MDP scan revealed polyostotic fibrous dysplasia affecting both upper extremities.
Findings:
- The 99mTc-MDP scan effectively identified widespread fibrous dysplasia in the upper limbs, an atypical location and presentation for the condition.
- This case underscores the utility of nuclear medicine in diagnosing unusual manifestations of fibrous dysplasia.
Implications:
- Nuclear medicine imaging is vital for diagnosing atypical fibrous dysplasia cases, especially in older adults.
- Accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging aids in appropriate risk stratification for potential malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia.
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