All that illuminates on radionuclide imaging is not a metastatic lesion: Role of complementary imaging

Abstract

Radionuclide imaging is a non-invasive modality based on tracer physiology widely utilized in the diagnosis, staging, therapeutic evaluation, and monitoring of metastatic disease in a spectrum of malignancies. Calcific tendinopathy is a well-recognized disorder related to the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals within tendons. We describe a patient with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder revealing increased uptake at the left hip on 99mTc labeled methylene diphosphonate scintigraphy suggesting a metastatic lesion. Cross-sectional imaging with magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the accurate diagnosis of calcific tendinopathy of gluteus maximus insertion. This case report highlights the importance of a thorough clinical evaluation and complementary imaging in assessing benign pathologies which may mimic metastatic bone lesions.