Acute myelofibrosis mimicking multiple bone metastases on Tc-99m MDP bone imaging

Clin Nucl Med. 1998 Jan;23(1):1-2. doi: 10.1097/00003072-199801000-00001.

Abstract

Purpose: Tc-99m bone scintigraphy is widely used for evaluation of osseous spread of malignant tumors.

Patient: A 60-year-old man had multiple areas of increased uptake on a bone scan in a pattern considered characteristic for extensive metastatic disease. However, a primary neoplasm could not be identified. Finally, acute myelofibrosis--a rare, fatal myeloproliferative syndrome--was diagnosed.

Conclusion: To avoid delays and extensive diagnostic procedures, acute myelofibrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bone scans showing multiple hot spots. In such cases, a diagnosis can be made on an a tissue sample.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / drug therapy
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / pathology
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate