Rheumatic diseases: knowledge update on scintigraphic assessment

ABSTRACT

Scintigraphy has a role in the diagnosis and follow up of rheumatic diseases, in that it can provide important complementary information along with the clinical and radiographic evaluations of different disease conditions of the joints and periarticular structures. The scintigraphic pattern of different arthropathies varies depending on the type and phase of the condition. Some conditions affect mainly small or large joints while others affect both, in either a symmetric or asymmetric fashion. Radionuclides used in the diagnosis and follow up of these conditions include Tc99m MDP [Methylene diphosphonate], In-Ill labeled leucocytes, labeled poly and monoclonal antibodies such as Tc99m-labeled human polyclonal immunoglobulin G and Tc99m-anti-E-selectin-Fab, Tc99m-HIVIPAO labeled leukocytes, Tc99m SC [Sulfur Colloid], Tc99m nanocolloid and F-18 FDG [Fluorodeoxyglucose]. SPECT [Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography] and pinhole techniques add a diagnostic value to the scintigraphic methods. F-18 FDG positron emission tomography has a potential to quantitatively assess the degree of arthritis activity