Skeletal scintigraphy for the diagnosis of malignant metastatic disease to the bones

The use of skeletal scintigraphy for the detection of metastatic disease of the bone is reviewed. The review is based on published data for sensitivity, specificity, yield and prognostic value. The analysis, and interpretation of published data is complicated by the variation in criteria. It appears nonetheless, that for a number of tumors the relative (in comparison with other methods) and absolute (based on outcome prediction) sensitivity is high. For certain tumors in early stages, and in asymptomatic patients the yield (of positive studies) is low, even when the prognostic value is high. Those factors should be weighed with the availability of therapeutic options to determine the clinical efficacy of skeletal scintigraphy.