Brown tumor of the sternum: a potential source of false-positive Tl-201 and Tc-99m subtraction imaging in the mediastinum

Clin Nucl Med. 2000 Jan;25(1):44-7. doi: 10.1097/00003072-200001000-00010.

Abstract

Tl-201 and Tc-99m subtraction imaging is a well-established technique for detecting parathyroid adenomas. We report a case of a brown tumor of the upper sternum mimicking an ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma on Tl-201 and Tc-99m subtraction imaging in a patient with hyperparathyroidism. This brown tumor showed Tl-201 uptake but not Tc-99m uptake and thus did not subtract out in this scan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism / complications
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m*
  • Sternum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sternum / pathology
  • Subtraction Technique
  • Thallium Radioisotopes*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thallium Radioisotopes
  • Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m