Positive Bone Images in Patients with Normal or Equivocal MRI Studies: Two Case Reports

Abstract

During nuclear medicine bone imaging, the accumulation of technetium-labeled radiopharmaceuticals in the bone is primarily related to blood supply. Bone imaging is very sensitive, and high resolution images representing physiologic function of the bone tissue can be obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide excellent images of soft-tissue contrast. Tissue anatomy, pathology, metabolism, and flow are easily visualized. With the increased use of computed tomography and MRI to visualize abnormalities of the extremities, bone imaging may no longer be of primary consideration in patient workups. The following case studies of an ankle and wrist are presented, utilizing bone images of these extremities correlated with MRI. Our preliminary evaluation suggests that bone imaging can be very sensitive to abnormalities, even when plain radiographs and MRI are normal.