Bone scintigraphy in the initial staging of patients with renal-cell carcinoma: concise communication

We reviewed the records of 40 consecutive patients who received bone scintigraphy in conjunction with the initial evaluation and staging of renal-cell carcinoma, to determine the role of bone imaging in this clinical context. Bone scintigrams were positive in three out of 40 patients at the time of diagnosis. In view of the low yield of bone imaging, it appears that routine scintigraphy is unwarranted in the absence of skeletal symptoms before the diagnosis of renal lesions. The presence of a positive bone image did not alter the indication for nephrectomy.