The diagnostic value of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) scintigraphy was evaluated in 12 patients with 20 bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma, in comparison with 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphy. Sixteen lesions (80%) were detected by 123I-IMP scintigraphy, whereas four lesions (two lesions in the rib and two lesions after a radiation of 40 Gy) were missed. Of 16 lesions demonstrated as areas of increased uptake in 123I-IMP scan, only eight (50%) showed an increased pattern of uptake in 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy. In conclusion, 123I-IMP is a promising radiopharmaceutical for the detection of bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.