Clinical Presentation

Fig. 17.1

Technique

• A 20 mCi dose of ^99mTc-MDP is administered intravenously.

• Whole-body images of the skeleton are obtained 3 hours after tracer administration.

• A 1024 × 256 matrix is used.

• Emphasize the importance of oral hydration to improve soft tissue and bladder clearance.

Image Interpretation

Whole-body images show intense tracer uptake throughout the axial skeleton and proximal portions of the appendicular skeleton. Little uptake is noted in the soft tissues, including the kidneys. A small amount of tracer is noted in the urinary bladder.

• Disseminated prostate cancer. The patient had previously received ⁸⁹Sr therapy with little relief of his pain. He was therefore scheduled for external beam therapy to the neck and left shoulder.

Discussion

A bone scan with disseminated, intense uptake is often called a superscan