Abstract |
In order to establish criteria for distinguishing
between occult fracture and metastases, we have
reviewed 52 records of cancer patients and 24 of rib
fracture patients referred for bone scanning. In 52
patients with biopsy-proven malignancy, multiple linear
increased uptake of the ribs was found in 32
cases(61.5%), and was the most common finding. In 24
patients with rib fracture, all but 1 had fecal
increased uptake of the ribs, and lesions almost always
aligned in a row. By analyzing the appearance of rib
lesions in total 76 patients, it was concluded that
there is a high probability that rib lesions detected
by bone scanning are bony metastases if 1) they are
multiple linear as opposed to fecal, and 2) they are
not aligned in the same location |