99mTc bone scintigraphy superscans: a review

Abstract

Whole-body bone scintigraphy (bone scan) using a (99m)Tc-labelled pharmaceutical is one of the most commonly performed radionuclide examinations. In the normal patient, both the osseous components of the skeletal system as well as the kidneys and bladder are visualized. A superscan is defined as a bone scan which demonstrates markedly increased skeletal radioisotope uptake relative to soft tissues, in association with absent or faint genito-urinary tract activity. While a superscan is relatively uncommon, its recognition is important, as it is associated with a number of important underlying diseases. The purpose of this review article is to describe the causes and variable features of a superscan and depict patterns which may aid in defining the underlying cause for the scan. In addition, we will discuss other investigations that may help further to identify the underlying disease in such cases.

Patrón gammagráfico “superscan” en la osteomalacia hipofosfatémica asociada a Tenofovir en un paciente con infección por VIH

“…Los patrones gammagráficos más frecuentemente en los casos publicados en la literatura son aquellos con captaciones compatibles con fracturas por insuficiencia o pseudofracturas [2,3,9]. Sin embargo, en 3 de ellos se encontró un aumento generalizado de la incorporación del trazador en todo el esqueleto con ausencia o muy débil visualización de las siluetas renales, patrón conocido como "superscan" [4,5,6,19]. Las características clínicas de dichos casos se resumen en la Tabla 1.…”

Molecular imaging for In vivo tracking of stem cell fate

“…A commonly used SPECT radionuclide probe for the detection of infections and inflammatory disorders is 99m Tc-exametazime (hexamethylpropylene amine oxime, HMPAO). 77 Becerra et al 78 used 99m Tc-HMPAO to image distribution of stem cells in horses with occurring tendinopathy. Cells were injected either intravenously or directly into tendon or ligament injures or intravenously in horses and traced for up to 48 h, and 24% of the cells were retained within the tendon lesions.…”

Super Scan Caused by Parathyroid Carcinoma Observed Both in 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan and Tc-99m MDP Bone Scintigraphy

“…Wiegemann et al (2) reported that bone resorption, alkaline phosphatase level, and parathyroid hormone activity were not correlated with Tc-99m pyrophosphate uptake by the bone. Malignancies with known super scan in bone scintigraphy include prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and carcinoma of the colon (3,4,5). Hematologic conditions like leukemia, lymphoma, myelofibrosis, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia have also been reported to be associated with super scan.…”