Diffuse Hepatic and Spleen Uptake of Tc-99m MDP on Bone Scintigraphy Resembling Liver-Spleen Scintigraphy in a Patient of Plasma Cell Tumor

1. Introduction

Amyloidosis is characterized by an abnormal extracellular deposition of amyloid in various tissues and organs of unknown cause [1, 2]. The pathogenesis of amyloid fibrils is associated with amino acid replacements in prefibrillar proteins and with protein instability [1]. Also, its clinical presentation, involving either single or multiple organs, results in different signs and symptoms [2].

Depicting the presence of amyloid protein in the tissue, mostly through invasive methods, is the primary way of diagnosing amyloidosis [3]. We describe a 49-year-old female with a history of anaplastic plasma cell tumor. Her bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m MDP suggested the possible presence of amyloidosis, by revealing intense diffuse tracer uptake in the liver and spleen.

2. Case Report

A 49-year-old female was referred for a bone scintigraphy for identification of possible bone metastasis. She complained of general bone pain. Her past history included a lytic lesion in the right mandible that had been treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Several investigations included bone marrow aspiration cytology and immunohistochemistry (IHC), suggesting anaplastic plasma cell tumor. The serum electrolyte, calcium, and phosphate levels were increased. The serum creatinine level was also increased (Cr: 3.5 mg/dL).

Ultrasonography revealed that the patient had a mild splenomegaly. A bone scan revealed diffusely and intensely hepatic 99Tc-MDP uptake, and to a lesser degree in the spleen. Decreased skeletal uptake on bone scan was also observed (Figure 1). We suggested the possibility of immunoglobulin amyloidosis resulting from disturbed renal function in the base of the patient’s underlying disease.

3. Discussion

Bone scintigraphy is frequently requested for identification of possible bone metastasis in patients with a primary tumor, even though it is generally indicated in multiple myeloma through osteolytic lesions that depict no 99m Tc-MDP tracer uptake [4]. A majority of such patients are referred for bone scintigraphy because their presentation mimics metastatic bone disease [4].

On the other hand, nonosseous uptake of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals is observed in different conditions and organs which are necessary to distinguish the pathophysiological causes [5, 6].

The first explanation is that it is a mistake in radiopharmaceutical preparation and the formation of Tc-99m colloid complex, resulting in abnormal distribution [7]. This explanation is ruled out in this patient, because bone scans of other patients were performed at the same time and did not demonstrate such abnormality.

The other explanations for hepatic activity are hepatic metastasis, necrosis, alcoholic liver disease, or history of liver transplantation. The patient’s clinical manifestations, ultrasound of the abdomen, and other investigations were not consistent with such explanations [8–11].

In addition, diffuse hepatic uptake, accompanied by decreased skeletal uptake on bone scan, is normally noted after an intravenous injection of iron colloid solutions or methotrexate for treatment. The present case did not have such a history [12, 13].

Furthermore, extraosseous uptake on bone scan is observed in patients with renal failure as a result of a failure to excrete the radiopharmaceuticals through the kidneys [14]. Hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism resulting from chronic renal failure cause soft tissue microcalcification [14]. Likewise, splenic uptake has been seen in the bone scan of patients with sickle-cell disease as a result of splenic infarction and subsequent calcification [15]. Such explanations are not congruent with the present case.

Furthermore, extraosseous uptake on bone scan has been observed in amyloidosis [2]. Amyloidosis is characterized by a heterogeneous group of disorders related to abnormal extracellular protein deposits that can affect any organ and can lead to end-organ dysfunction [16].

Five types of amyloidosis have been defined based on the underlying disease: immunoglobulin amyloidosis, familial amyloidosis, senile-systemic amyloidosis, secondary amyloidosis, and hemodialysis-associated amyloidosis [2].

Few studies have suggested the use of scintigraphy as a screening test for amyloidosis. Different radiopharmaceuticals have been examined, including Ga-67 and Tc-99m sulfur colloid, with mixed results [17, 18]. Bone radionuclides have been shown to accumulate in different organs affected by amyloidosis, including the liver, skin, skeletal muscle, and myocardium [19, 20].

The precise mechanism by which bone-imaging radiopharmaceuticals accumulate within amyloids is not understood [2]. The extracellular deposition of amyloids may increase the local calcium level and subsequently enhance the affinity for bone-seeking agents at the sites of amyloid deposition. Nevertheless, when these radiopharmaceuticals accumulate considerably in soft tissue, the presence of amyloid deposition should be considered [2].

Molecular imaging using radiolabeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracers is now being employed for the diagnosis of amyloid β plaques in Alzheimer’s patients. Such molecular imaging is currently into preclinical stages in diagnosis of cardiac and peripheral amyloidosis [16, 21].

Amyloidosis is frequently related to decreased renal function in patients with multiple myeloma, resulting from light chain deposition in various organs [14, 22]. In the present case, a diagnosis of amyloidosis with diminished renal function may provide an explanation for the abnormal distribution of tracer in the liver and spleen, even though histopathology was not preformed to confirm the presence of amyloidosis. Extraosseous soft tissue and visceral accumulation further raise the possibility of amyloidosis. The present case suggests that further investigation and a directed biopsy may be warranted.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.