Robert J. Corcoran

Solitary Abnormalities in Bone Scans of Patients with Extraosseous Malignancies

The incidence and significance of solitary bone scan abnormalities were assessed in a study of 1,129 consecutive patients with extraskeletal primary malignancies. Solitary abnormalities were encountered in 172 cases (15%). The etiology of the scan abnormality was established in 90 of the 172 cases; 58 (64%) were due to metastatic disease, and 32 (36%) were secondary to a benign process. A significant percentage of solitary scan abnormalities is due to benign disease processes, even in patients with proved extraosseous malignancies.

The Liver Scan in Urologic Oncology

The predictive value of liver scans for the detection of hepatic metastases is discussed. A retrospective review was done on 104 patients with urologic malignancies who had undergone liver scans and liver function tests. Liver scans had a low predictive value, while serum alkaline phosphatase alone had a higher predictive value. The combination of low predictive value and high cost/benefit ratio indicates that the liver scan has no routine role in the urologic oncologic staging.