Pattern of bursitis on SPECT/CT blood pool image in bone scintigraphy – case studies

Overview

Introduction: Bursae are weight-bearing sacs lined with a synovial layer of cells and contain a fluid similar to joint synovium. Their purpose is to reduce mechanical stress (friction) in the points of contact of tendons with bone, joint capsule or ligament.

Due to various reasons, the bursa can become inflamed and cause difficulties for the patient.

It is possible to diagnose bursitis by introducing early SPECT/CT methodology during the examination of the skeleton.

Case reports: Three patients are presented here, two with pain in the knee joints lasting several months and one with pain in the area of the lumbar spine, who were diagnosed with bursitis on three-phase skeletal scintigraphy.

Conclusion: According to the BOSS classification, all bursitis belongs to what is known as group C (or extraosseous). These pathologies on bone scintigraphy can only be detected by performing SPECT/CT in the blood pool phase.

Keywords:

SPECT/CT – bone scintigraphy – blood pool – bursitis