The use of SPECT-CT with 99mTc-labeled phosphates in patients with suspected skeletal metastases in planar bone scintigraphy

Abstract

We assessed the diagnostic capabilities of SPECT-CT in patients with unclear and suspicious on the secondary lesion with bone scintigraphy background in planar mode (227 patients (mean age — 57 years) with various primary malignancies). All patients underwent planar scintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled phosphates in the "whole body" mode and then — bizonal single-photon-emission computed tomography combined with X-ray computed tomography (SPECT-CT). In patients with the presence of lesions in the skeleton, suspicious on metastases, there was conducted comparison with the data of SPECT-CT. During planar investigation the suspicion on metastases was detected in 41 patients (18%). The use of SPECT-CT allowed excluding metastases in 29 (71%) and confirmed in 7 (17%) of them. In 5 (12%) cases the nature of the changes remained unclear. Thus, in cancer patients with revealed by planar bone scintigraphy unclear or suspicious for metastatic foci in the skeleton, the use of SPECT-CT allowed in most cases (88%) to clarify the nature of these changes.