Application of bone scintigram for osteosarcoma

Bone scintigrams from 35 cases of osteosarcoma were classified into three types: type I - a marked accumulation with a relatively clear demarcation from the normal area, type II - a marked accumulation surrounded by a slight accumulation and type III - predominated by a slight accumulation containing marked accumulations. Type III was frequent in fibroblastic osteosarcoma and chondroblastic osteosarcoma, and types I and II, in osteoblastic osteosarcoma. The extent of tumors agreed with the marked accumulation site on the scintigram in the type I cases and with the slight accumulation site in the type II or III cases. Many of the type III cases showed a good prognosis, and type II cases tended to show a poor prognosis than type I cases. No relation was observed between x-ray images and scintigraphic images. Single photon RI emissiion CT was excellent for the visualization of the RI distribution in lesions and pulmonary metastases. (Chiba, N.)