Bone scintigraphy for the detection and follow-up of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.

A group of 100 patients with carcinoma of the lung underwent an examination for metastatic spread; evaluation of the bone scans taken at that time showed that 4 of these patients had the clinical and scintigraphic symptoms of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Roentgenological abnormalities were evident in 3 of these 4 cases. The diverse scintigraphic patterns characteristic of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy are discussed. Follow-up bone scans taken after initiation of therapy were used to investigate the changes in the scintigraphic patterns in 3 patients. Improvement was seen within 2 months. Clinical improvement preceded improvement on the scan; radiological improvement however, occurs later than that seen on the bone scan.