J Nucl Med. 2008; 49 (Supplement 1):171P
Educational Exhibits (Poster Only)Correlative Imaging Posters |
Understanding shoulder pathology as seen on bone scintigraphy
James Gannon1,
Jane Palka1 and
Helana Balon1
1 Nuclear Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
746
Learning Objectives: 1. Characterize normal radiotracer distribution in the shoulder on bone scintigraphy. 2. Show the difference between arthritis and normal shoulder uptake by correlation with plain X rays or CT. 3. Illustrate bone scan appearances in rotator cuff tear and other soft tissue pathology by correlating shoulder girdle, including upper extremity, position and patterns of 99mTc-MDP uptake with MRI or ultrasound findings.
Abstract Body: Many people have some degree of shoulder pathology, which is frequently described on 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy as "degenerative changes of the shoulders". Accurately characterizing shoulder uptake is important because even patients with cancer, for whom many bone scans are obtained, may have shoulder pain unrelated to their malignancy. Indiscriminately classifying shoulder uptake as ‘degenerative changes’ may negatively affect the patient, because the diagnostic and treatment paradigms are different for patients having soft tissue pathology versus bone pathology. Awareness of normal radiotracer distribution in the shoulder on bone scintigraphy and recognizing patterns of radiotracer distribution in a variety of non-malignant conditions occurring in the shoulder may also aid in recognizing potential metastatic lesions. This exhibit will demonstrate benign patterns of shoulder uptake in bone scintigraphy, with shoulder pathology confirmed clinically or by other imaging modality.
