Splenic visualization in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD) deficiency is a common inherited red blood cell disorder.
• Splenic calcification is a known, though infrequent, complication in some G-6PD deficient individuals.
• 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) scintigraphy is primarily used for bone imaging but can reveal ectopic calcification.

Observation:

• A case is presented of a patient with G-6PD deficiency.
• The patient demonstrated splenic visualization on a 99mTc-MDP scan.
• Radiographic imaging did not show any evidence of splenic calcification.

Findings:

• The splenic uptake of 99mTc-MDP in this G-6PD deficient patient suggests a potential mechanism for non-calcified splenic deposition.
• This finding is unusual as splenic visualization on bone scintigraphy typically correlates with calcification.
• The exact pathophysiology of this non-calcified splenic uptake remains to be elucidated.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of 99mTc-MDP uptake patterns in G-6PD deficiency.
• It suggests that splenic visualization on bone scintigraphy in G-6PD deficiency may not always indicate calcification.
• Further research is warranted to explore the implications for diagnosing and managing G-6PD related splenic abnormalities.