Aim: To assess the value of (99m)Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy in the staging of primary bone lymphoma.
Materials and methods: Thirteen staging scintigrams of patients with biopsy proven primary bone lymphoma were reviewed. The number and location of involved sites of disease were documented in each case.
Results: Seven out of 13 scintigrams (54%) demonstrated a single site of bone involvement. Six cases (46%) showed multifocal disease, including clinically silent weight-bearing sites.
Conclusions: Bone scintigraphy is a valuable tool in the staging of primary bone lymphoma. It detects multifocal involvement which alters prognosis and possibly treatment. Clinically silent involvement of weight-bearing sites may be detected allowing prophylactic treatment if required.