99mTc-MDP uptake in ascitic fluid in a patient with prostate carcinoma: a clue to detect metastases

Bone scintigraphy with 99mTc methylene diphosphonate (MDP) is used to detect metastases in patients with cancer. Uptake in non-osseous, non-urologic tissues is occasionally found in the routine bone scintigraphy, which may mimic as metastatic lesions. The authors describe the case of a 70-year-old man with prostate cancer, showing diffuse tracer uptake in the left hemithorax and entire abdomen on bone scan that required additional imaging modality for localization. Careful interpretation is needed of the unusual uptake of radiotracer in regions other than the skeleton for metastatic work up. (author)