Accumulation of 99mTc-MIBI in bone marrow

99mTc-MIBI (Sestamibi) was originally developed for myocardial perfusion studies. The agent also may be used for the depiction and characterization of tumors. Performing such examinations has shown uptake in skeletal structures in several patients suggesting bone engagement of the disease which later was excluded. Retrospective evaluation of 44 examinations with 99mTc-MIBI performed in order to localize diseased parathyroid in patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism showed skeletal activity in 21 (48%) patients. Although these patients represent a selected group, the observation indicates a mechanism for skeletal accumulation of this radiopharmaceutical. Evaluation of another 13 normocalcemic patients undergoing whole-body registration for malignancy staging or to assess lower extremity ischemia with 99mTc-MIBI showed skeletal activity in 6 (46%) patients. Complementary mouse experiments confirmed skeletal uptake of 99mTc-MIBI, where most of the activity is taken up by the red bone marrow. It is concluded that homogeneous, diffuse weak skeletal activity at examination with 99mTc-MIBI is a normal finding and does not indicate malignancy. (author)