Skeletal Scintigraphy in Radiation-Induced Fibrosis With Lymphedema

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Mar;42(3):231-234. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001525.

Abstract

Despite increasing reliance on CT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT for oncological imaging, whole-body skeletal scintigraphy remains a frontline modality for staging and surveillance of osseous metastatic disease. We present a 54-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer who received palliative external-beam radiation to the left ilium. Serial follow-up Tc-MDP bone scans demonstrated progressive soft-tissue uptake in her left lower extremity, extending from thigh to leg, with associated enlargement and skin thickening, consistent with lymphedema related to radiation-induced fibrosis. Correlative abdominopelvic CT scans confirmed fibrotic changes in the left thigh.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Fibrosis / etiology
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lymphedema / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphedema / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate