Recording of Bone Marrow Activity in Liver-Spleen (RES) Scintigraphy

Abstract

The bone marrow activity in the liver-spleen (RES) scintigraphy has been diffucult to estimate correctly. If the activity of the bone marrow is to 'be decided as counts/time unit it is of importance that structures with a high activity as the liver and spleen are excluded from the registration. A dorsal registration of the pelvis during 180 s will give a rather correct information of bone marrow activity and besides an image of the pelvic bone marrow is obtained. Using 270 to 280 MBq 99Tc m-Albures all 45 normal cases had values below 150 KCNT (l KCNT = 1000 counts). All cases with cirrhosis (n= 15) or metastases in the liver (n= 14) had values over 150 KCNT. Values over 150 KeNT were also found in 29 of 34 patients with an increase in ASAT and ALAT (GOT, GPT) as the only pathologic finding and in 12 of 21 patients with a carcinoma but without metastases in the liver.

Colloid Scintigraphy Showing Red Bone Marrow Extension in Patients with Prostatic Carcinoma

“…is that there are two opposing factors. Carcinoma causes activation of the bone marrow (9,13,14,21,23,35). The pelvis and the lumbar vertebrae are the commonest sites for distant metastases from prostatic carcinoma.…”

“…The normal level of red bone marrow distribution was defined as being the proximal 1 /4 of the femoral diaphyses. The activity of the pelvic bone marrow was measured according to FRIMAN et al (9). More than 150 kcnt (kilocounts)/ 180 s was considered pathologic.…”

Bone Marrow Extension and Pelvic Bone Marrow Activity in Alcoholic Liver Disease

“…To further enhance the usefulness of the method, it is necessary to register not only uptake pathology in the liver, but also other parameters (17). The decreased liver uptake of radiocolloids seen in patients with alcoholic liver disease gives a secondary increase of uptake in the spleen and bone marrow (8,10,19,34). A spleen-to-liver uptake ratio may thus be used as an indicator of the degree of liver damage (11,33,35).…”

“…A spleen-to-liver uptake ratio may thus be used as an indicator of the degree of liver damage (11,33,35). The increased central bone marrow uptake has been assessed semiquantitatively from a posterior recording of pelvic bone marrow activity at preset time (10). Another RES scintigraphic finding in alco holic liver disease, but sparsely discussed in the literature, is red bone marrow extension.…”

Bone Marrow Scintigraphy in Paget's Disease of Bone

“…The bone marrow uptake of colloid in PCV is increased centrally and also extends out into the extremities (5,9,14). In PCV there is also an increased blood flow to the bone marrow (1 6).…”