technetium-tc-99m-medronate and Mycobacterium-avium-intracellulare-Infection

The presented case is a 36-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus for 10 years. She had progressively painful swelling of the right index finger that later proved to be a rare case of tenosynovitis caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. Serial images of 3-phase bone scans, gallium scan, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrate the area of involvement.

Topics: Adult; Citrates; Female; Fingers; Gallium; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Tenosynovitis

A 30-year-old woman who had a destructive Mycobacterium avium complex infection in the left inguinal fossa affecting the pubic bone underwent three-phase bone scanning to identify other possibly affected sites. Multiple skeletal lesions were seen scattered throughout the vertebral column, sternum, and pelvis. This case is presented to describe a rare extensive metastatic M. avium complex infection in an immunocompromised patient.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Female; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lumbar Vertebrae; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Osteomyelitis; Pelvis; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sternum; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Whole-Body Counting

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare osteomyelitis is an infrequently reported entity, especially in immunocompetent patients. When multifocal, the imaging findings can be confusing, simulating metastatic disease or other bone lesions. An immunocompetent patient with multifocal Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare osteomyelitis is presented who has been followed for 18 years and experienced episodes of exacerbations and further dissemination of her disease, followed by periods of partial remission and clinical quiescence. Bone scintigraphy was very useful in evaluating the extent of involvement and monitoring response to treatment.

Topics: Bone and Bones; Child; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Osteomyelitis; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Time Factors