Whole-body and part-body turnover of 85Sr in Paget's disease.

The whole-body and part-body retention of 85Sr has been measured over a period of 150 days in 12 patients with Paget's disease, seven of whom were treated with calcitonin, starting 60 days after the 85Sr administration. Retentions were compared with those in a group of seven control subjects. The retention data were analysed using multiple exponential, single and double power-law and combined power law and exponential functions. The mean retention of 85Sr over a long period was greater in the Paget's patients than in the controls, 1.9 times at two months. No significant effect of calcitonin treatment was demonstrated. Part-body measurements based on profile scanning demonstrated a significantly increased uptake of 85Sr in sites where disease was present. The longer-term rate of disappearance from such sites was faster than from unaffected bones.