Investigation of the metabolic acitivity of bone in rheumatoid arthritis
Rosenspire, K.C.; Kennedy, A.C.; Steinbach, J.; Blau, M.; Green, F.A.
Journal of Rheumatology 7(4): 469-473
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 6252321 Document Number: 160285
Uptake of 99mTc pyrophosphate was measured in the mid-third of the radius, ulna, femur and metacarpal bones of 22 men with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and 18 control subjects. It was significantly elevated in the rheumatoid population. In a parallel study, the retention of 99mTc methylene diphosphonate was significantly increased in 12 of these rheumatoid patients compared to 6 control subjects. Apparently, there is increased bone turnover occurring in nonjoint bone in patients with RA. Use of such bone as a reference standard for joint imaging may be misleading.