Potential Role of Bone Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis of Calciphylaxis

Abstract

Nonosseous abnormalities are often seen on bone scans and can be related to a wide variety of pathology ranging across vascular, infection, and inflammatory etiology. Diffuse soft tissue radiotracer uptake on bone scans is typically attributed to renal or metabolic derangements. Calciphylaxis is the deposition of calcium in small blood vessels, skin, and other organs leading to vascular obstruction and skin necrosis. It is a rare disorder with unknown pathophysiology. Diagnosis of calciphylaxis is challenging and requires an interdisciplinary approach including clinical findings, laboratory results, medical imaging, and skin biopsy. An early diagnosis is important as the disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the role of bone scintigraphy in the evaluation of calciphylaxis and to correlate the findings with other imaging modalities and histopathology.

Keywords

calciphylaxis - ^99mTc MDP bone scan - computed tomography - ESRD - histopathology

Note

Calciphylaxis is a disease of vasculopathy with unknown etiology. Multimodality imaging plays an important role in diagnosis. This article evaluates the role of bone scan in calciphylaxis.

Publication History

Article published online:
29 January 2024

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