A Reversible Gastric Uptake of Bone Scintigraphy in a Patient with Hypercalcemia

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is a severe complication in cases of vitamin D intoxication that can result in metastatic calcification. We herein report a female case with hypercalcemia due to eldecalcitol administration associated with the increased uptake of technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate ( 99m Tc-HMDP) as the bone-scanning agent in the stomach. A histologic assessment using biopsy specimens identified metastatic calcification of the stomach. After the normalization of serum calcium levels, the gastric uptake of 99m Tc-HMDP disappeared. This case indicates the usefulness of bone scintigraphy with 99m Tc-HMDP to detect visceral metastatic calcification and to monitor its therapeutic effects in patients with hypercalcemia.

Metastatic Calcinosis of Gastric Mucosa

“…Computed tomography scan is very sensitive in depicting the lesions as increased densities, and is used to evaluate the disease burden. 11,25,26 Lesion biopsy and histopathological examination remain the definitive diagnosis of calcinosis. Endoscopic evidence of gastric calcifications appears as 1- to 5-mm white flat plaques or nodules in the gastric fundus, body, and/or antrum.…”