Radionuclide skeletal survey for pediatric neoplasms.

A prospective study comparing the radionuclide skeletal survey with the radiographic survey was performed for 159 children with known primary neoplasm. Forty-four showed radionuclide evidence of metastases, while only 14 had radiographic evidence. Thus, 68% of metastases were discovered by bone imaging alone. No false negative images for metastases were obtained, though there was one false negative image for primary tumor. Radionuclide skeletal survey is recommended as the primary evaluation for bony metastases in all children with neoplasms. Suspect areas should then receive complete radiographic examination.