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Skeletal and Reticuloendothelial Imaging in Osteopetrosis: Case Report

Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

Correspondence: For reprints contact: Hee-Myung Park, Nuclear Medicine, Wishard Memorial Hospital, 1001 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202.

ABSTRACT

Skeletal and reticuloendothelial images, using Tc-99m HEDP and Tc-99m sulfur colloid respectively, were obtained from two adult patients with osteopetrosis. Skeletal images demonstrated increased activity in multiple fracture sites, in mandibular osteomyelitis, in ends of splayed long bones adjacent to joints, and in the epiphyseal ends of short tubular bones. The remainder of the skeleton involved with osteopetrosis showed no generalized increased uptake of Tc-99m HEDP. These findings indicate that metabolic activity in this disease is abnormally increased in the usual areas of bone growth but appears normal elsewhere. Reticuloendothelial imaging showed an almost total lack of activity in the axial and peripheral skeletal marrow space. Anemia, however, was only moderate in these patients. Skeletal scintigraphy may be useful to evaluate the presence and extent of the frequent complications of osteopetrosis, namely fractures and osteomyelitis.