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99mTc-MDP scintigraphy in ankylosing spondylitis
D A Collie1, G W Smith, M V Merrick
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Clinical Radiology
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Bone scintigraphy using 99mTechnetium-MDP can detect more lesions in ankylosing spondylitis than radiography. This imaging technique may aid early diagnosis, even before radiographic changes appear.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton.
- Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and preventing long-term complications.
- Plain radiography has limitations in detecting early disease changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of 99mTechnetium-MDP bone scintigraphy in diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis.
- To compare scintigraphic findings with plain radiographic changes.
- To identify characteristic scintigraphic patterns of ankylosing spondylitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 99mTechnetium-MDP bone scintigrams in 11 patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
- Analysis of scintigraphic activity in sacroiliac joints, spine, sternum, and peripheral joints.
- Correlation of scintigraphic findings with plain radiographic assessments.
Main Results:
- Increased sacroiliac joint activity was observed in early disease (symptoms < 5 years).
- Spine scintigraphy revealed various patterns of increased uptake, including costovertebral, costotransverse, and facet joints.
- Scintigraphy detected significantly more lesions compared to radiography, particularly in early disease stages.
Conclusions:
- 99mTechnetium-MDP bone scintigraphy is a sensitive tool for detecting lesions in ankylosing spondylitis.
- Scintigraphy can identify disease activity earlier than plain radiography.
- Awareness of these scintigraphic findings can aid in early diagnosis and differentiate from other pathologies.