The value of bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH). Methods: Whole-body bone scintigraphy was performed on 23 LCH patients. Results: Nineteen of 23 patients (82.6%) showed positive in their bone scan. Eight cases were with cranial abnormal uptake, clavicle, rib and pelvis involvements were seen and each was of 3 cases, respectively, upper limb, lower limb and spinal abnormal uptakes were seen in 2, 4 and 5 patients, respectively, and 1 child had photon deficient area in the lower part of the sternum. Among 19 positive scintigrams, solitary bone lesion was shown in 9 patients (47.4%). Conclusion: Characters of bone scintigraphy in LCH are useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of this disease. (authors)