Bone-scan-like pattern with Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA scintigraphy in patients with osteomalacia and primary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the role of Tc-99(m)(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA) scintigraphy in the evaluation of patients with metabolic bone disease. The study group comprised eight women aged 17-72 years, six with osteomalacia and two with primary hyperparathyroidism. Six patients were imaged scintigraphically before their treatments were started, whereas the other two underwent treatment during the time of examination. All six patients who had not previously been treated had prominent skeletal Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA uptake, revealing a bone-scan-like pattern. In the two patients receiving medical therapy, their Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA scans revealed a normal physiological distribution. Many of the fracture and pseudofracture sites detected on bone scans were also discerned with Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA scintigraphy. Our results suggest that Tc-99(m)(V)-DMSA scintigraphy might have the potential as a screening method in patients with metabolic bone disease.