Full Body Scintigraphy Berlin-Frohnau
MethodScintigraphy is a diagnostic procedure that involves the recording of radioactive impulses. These impulses are produced by special substances that are administered intravenously and absorbed by certain tissues in the body. The most commonly used variants include bone scintigraphy, soft tissue scintigraphy and leukocyte scintigraphy. This diagnostic procedure is carried out in specialised external facilities. |
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Bone scintigraphy involves the use of a radiopharmaceutical, usually technetium-labelled diphosphonates. This radiopharmaceutical accumulates preferentially in bones with increased metabolism, which is characteristic of conditions such as inflammation, fractures or metastases. The images are taken with a gamma camera and, depending on the issue at hand, either focused on specific body regions or performed as whole-body scans to obtain a more comprehensive picture. Whole body scintigraphy allows the distribution of storage regions in the entire skeletal system to be examined. This method is used primarily to search for skeletal metastases. Due to its high sensitivity, which ensures a very low rate of false negative findings, it has become indispensable in this area. One particular advantage of scintigraphy is the early detection of changes: it can detect pathological processes even before they are visible on an X-ray. Therefore, whole-body scintigraphy plays a central role in the comprehensive diagnosis of bone tumours. In multiphase scintigraphy, the radiation activity in a specific region is measured during the absorption phase of the injected radiopharmaceutical. This provides detailed information about the local blood distribution and blood flow in the examined area. This method enables a differentiated assessment of circulatory disorders or inflammatory processes. IndicationsSkeletal scintigraphy is used for a variety of indications, including the detection of skeletal metastases, primary bone tumours, bone necrosis, fatigue fractures (including endoprosthesis loosening) and to rule out fractures. However, it is important to note that physiological changes in the skeletal system can also be associated with increased storage of the radiopharmaceutical. This particularly applies to degenerative diseases and the growing skeleton, in which the growth plates show a characteristic storage behaviour. Therefore, careful clinical consideration is required when interpreting the results. |
Soft tissue scintigraphy can be used to identify soft tissue tumours in particular; the examination is reserved for specific indications. |
