Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports

Bone scintigraphy with technetium-labelled diphosphonates is widely used for evaluating skeletal pathology. However, extra-osseous uptake may also be encountered and can indicate underlying neoplastic processes. We report 2 cases of incidental intra-abdominal uptake on bone scans, later confirmed as...

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Main Authors: Gary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB, Tsz Kit Chow, MBBS, FHKCR, Yan Ho Hui, MBChB, FHKCR, Wai Yin Ho, MBBS, FHKCR
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325006454
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author Gary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB
Tsz Kit Chow, MBBS, FHKCR
Yan Ho Hui, MBChB, FHKCR
Wai Yin Ho, MBBS, FHKCR
author_facet Gary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB
Tsz Kit Chow, MBBS, FHKCR
Yan Ho Hui, MBChB, FHKCR
Wai Yin Ho, MBBS, FHKCR
author_sort Gary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB
collection DOAJ
description Bone scintigraphy with technetium-labelled diphosphonates is widely used for evaluating skeletal pathology. However, extra-osseous uptake may also be encountered and can indicate underlying neoplastic processes. We report 2 cases of incidental intra-abdominal uptake on bone scans, later confirmed as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In both cases, planar bone scintigraphy revealed focal tracer uptake in the abdomen, which SPECT/CT localized to exophytic gastric masses with intralesional calcification. Histopathological confirmation was obtained via endoscopic biopsy and surgical resection. These cases highlight the diagnostic value of hybrid SPECT/CT imaging in evaluating unexpected soft tissue uptake, enabling accurate anatomical localization and differentiation from physiological or benign causes. Although the mechanisms of diphosphonate accumulation in extra-osseous neoplasms are not fully understood, contributing factors may include calcification, vascularity, and altered tissue microenvironment. Recognition of such findings can facilitate timely diagnosis and management. Awareness of neoplastic causes of extra-osseous uptake is essential for interpreting physicians to guide appropriate clinical follow-up.
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spelling doaj-art-8bb40c52638845138152de205bf159f42025-08-20T02:47:03ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-10-0120105061506410.1016/j.radcr.2025.06.096Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reportsGary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB0Tsz Kit Chow, MBBS, FHKCR1Yan Ho Hui, MBChB, FHKCR2Wai Yin Ho, MBBS, FHKCR3Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong; Corresponding author.Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong KongNuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong KongNuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Radiology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong KongBone scintigraphy with technetium-labelled diphosphonates is widely used for evaluating skeletal pathology. However, extra-osseous uptake may also be encountered and can indicate underlying neoplastic processes. We report 2 cases of incidental intra-abdominal uptake on bone scans, later confirmed as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In both cases, planar bone scintigraphy revealed focal tracer uptake in the abdomen, which SPECT/CT localized to exophytic gastric masses with intralesional calcification. Histopathological confirmation was obtained via endoscopic biopsy and surgical resection. These cases highlight the diagnostic value of hybrid SPECT/CT imaging in evaluating unexpected soft tissue uptake, enabling accurate anatomical localization and differentiation from physiological or benign causes. Although the mechanisms of diphosphonate accumulation in extra-osseous neoplasms are not fully understood, contributing factors may include calcification, vascularity, and altered tissue microenvironment. Recognition of such findings can facilitate timely diagnosis and management. Awareness of neoplastic causes of extra-osseous uptake is essential for interpreting physicians to guide appropriate clinical follow-up.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325006454Gastrointestinal stromal tumorAbdominal neoplasmBone scintigraphySPECT/CT scan
spellingShingle Gary Ka Wai Chan, MBChB
Tsz Kit Chow, MBBS, FHKCR
Yan Ho Hui, MBChB, FHKCR
Wai Yin Ho, MBBS, FHKCR
Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
Radiology Case Reports
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Abdominal neoplasm
Bone scintigraphy
SPECT/CT scan
title Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
title_full Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
title_fullStr Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
title_full_unstemmed Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
title_short Incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Two case reports
title_sort incidental finding of bone tracer accumulation in gastrointestinal stromal tumor two case reports
topic Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Abdominal neoplasm
Bone scintigraphy
SPECT/CT scan
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325006454
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