PATTERNS OF SKELETAL SCINTIGRAPHY AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PLASMA AND URINARY HISTAMINE LEVELS IN SYSTEMIC MASTOCYTOSIS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (8) , 859-864
Abstract
Scintigraphic findings in 10 cases of systemic mastocytosis are described. Four radionuclide bone patterns were noted: normal, unifocal, multifocal and diffuse. Compared with radiographic surveys, bone images were better able to show the widespread skeletal involvement in patients with diffuse disease, and to detect a greater number of focal lesions. Serum Ca, P and bone-derived alkaline phosphatase, as well as urinary Ca, P and hydroxyproline levels, were usually within normal limits even when the bone scintigrams were clearly abnormal. Plasma and urinary histamine levels were highest in patients whose bone images detected widespread skeletal involvement. In systemic mastocytosis, not only does scintigraphy document active bone disease more effectively than laboratory studies of bone metabolism and radiographs of bone, but it also appears to reflect the general severity of the disease process.