Comparison of bone scans and radiography for detecting bone neoplasms in dogs exposed to 238PuO2

Radioisotopic bone scans and radiography were used to detect bone neoplasms in 144 dogs that inhaled alpha-particle-emitting 238PuO2 particles. Radiography was used routinely to survey the skeleton of the dogs. Nineteen dogs developed bone neoplasms; 17 of these were studied with bone scans and radiography; both methods showed a high degree of success in detecting bone neoplasms. Predominant regions of occurrence have been the lumbar region of the spine and the humerus. The bone scanning method used gamma-camera detection of IV injected 99mTc-labeled methylene diphosphonate. All neoplasms detected radiographically also were identified by bone scans. In addition, 3 lesions confirmed histologically as osteosarcomas were detected by bone scanning, but were missed by radiography. Bone scanning was a more sensitive means for the detection of bone neoplasms than were routine radiographic procedures.