Bone and 67Ga scintigraphy in the evaluation of rib lesions in patients with multiple myeloma.

Rib lesions in 14 patients with multiple myeloma were evaluated by 99mTc-phosphorous compound bone scintigraphy and 67Ga scintigraphy. In the present study, in order to accurately detect rib lesions in multiple myeloma, bone and 67Ga scintigraphy were performed in 14 patients with multiple myeloma. The patterns of radionuclide accumulation in rib lesions on bone scintigraphy were classified by their grade, type, and site, and the findings were compared with the results of 67Ga scintigraphy. Thus, in cases of multiple myeloma, it was important to consider carefully both the intensity and the design of bone scintigraphy in combination with follow-up study by 67Ga scintigraphy. As a result of such consideration, we found that bone and 67Ga scintigraphy were useful in distinguishing invasive lesions from benign degenerative changes in the rib cage in cases with suspected rib involvement of multiple myeloma.