Maxillary Frontal Process Radionuclide Uptake on Bone Scan：A Follow-up and Comparison with CT Findings / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

PurposeThe increased radionuclide uptake of maxillary frontal process on bone scan is not uncommon but dififcult to diagnose with relatively rare research. This study aims to explore this phenomenon through investigating its biological behavior and causes.Materials and Methods Twenty-one patients with increased uptake of maxillary frontal process but without typical feature of metastasis on bone scan were retrospectively enrolled in the study. The scintigraphic features were evaluated and compared with the bone scans in the follow up. The corresponding CT imaging features including the lesions'location, number, size, shape and attenuation were analyzed.Results Seventeen patients had unilateral involvement and 4 had bilateral ones. One patient was found accompanied with other cranial lesions. All the lesions remained stable and no new lesions were detected on the following bone scans in 14 patients. Sixteen lesions with increased radionuclide uptake in 12 patients were detected on bone scintigraphy, 15 of which were positive on CT and 14 of which were located around the nasolacrimal canal at the base of frontal process. All the lesions were well demarcated with mean axial maximum diameter of 7.1 mm. Ten had homogeneous ground-glass density and 5 showed heterogeneous with internal lower attenuation.Conclusion Lesions of maxillary frontal process with increased radionuclide uptake detected on bone scan are likely to be benign. Fibrous dysplasia-like lesions might help account for abnormal uptake indicated by CT.