PET scans identify bone metastases in their early stages of growth and are indicated for the following:
To evaluate patients presenting with pain but who have negative or equivocal x-ray findings
To determine the disease stage of patients with asymptomatic MBD
To determine the amount of bone metastasis in patients with known metastasis
To differentiate traumatic fracture from metastatic, pathologic fracture
To assess patients' response to treatment
PET scans identify bone metastases in early stages, not late stages, of growth. They are not useful in identifying sclerotic brain lesions, nor are they used to evaluate vascular abnormalities of the chest.
For more on the role of PET studies in MBD, read here.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Maurie Markman. Fast Five Quiz: Imaging Studies in Metastatic Bone Disease - Medscape - Mar 27, 2019.
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