technetium-tc-99m-medronate and Blastomycosis

Topics: Blastomycosis; Chin; Citrates; Femur; Gallium; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Skin; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Tibia

A case of disseminated North American blastomycosis is described in which the full extent of the multifocal osteomyelitis was depicted by Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy. Skeletal involvement by this disease is not uncommon, yet the utility of bone scintigraphy has not been reported. The efficacy with which the whole body may be examined makes this technique especially appropriate for a hematogenously disseminated and often multifocal form of osteomyelitis where radiographically occult and asymptomatic lesions may be present.

Topics: Blastomycosis; Bone and Bones; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteomyelitis; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

A patient with blastomycosis complained of pain in his lower back after the administration of amphotericin B and parenteral alimentation via a femoral venous catheter. A bone scan that was performed to exclude bony involvement with blastomycosis showed abnormal tracer accumulation in the right paravertebral region. Computed tomography revealed the venous catheter to lie in the right ascending lumbar vein. There was calcification of a portion of the right psoas muscle. In addition, the epidural venous plexus was calcified from L2 to L4. It was this dystrophic calcification that caused the heterotopic accumulation of bone tracer.

Topics: Adolescent; Blastomycosis; Calcinosis; Catheterization, Peripheral; Humans; Male; Phlebitis; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate