Hepatic Uptake of Technetium-99m-MDP on Bone Scintigraphy Associated with Intravenous Iron Therapy

Received 1/17/2005; revised 3/26/2005; accepted 4/1/2005. For correspondence or reprints contact: Chin-Ho Tsao, M.D., Division of Nuclear Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92 Section 2, Chung-Shan North Road, Taipei 104, Taiwan. Tel: (886)2-25433535 ext. 2241, Fax: (886)2-25433535 ext. 2925, E-mail: [email protected] A 60-year-old male complained of progressing pale and jaundice in recent 2 weeks. Under the impression of anemia and suspicious gastric cancer, he received intravenous iron therapy with iron chondrointin-sulfate colloid (ATOFEN) and underwent a whole body bone scan afterwards. Diffuse hepatic uptake of Tc-MDP was demonstrated on bone scintigraphy. ATOFEN is a potent anti-anemic agent with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. After intra-venous injection, most of the injected iron colloid immediately distributes to hepatic reticuloendothelial cells. Phagocytized iron colloid contributes to hepatic uptake of Tc-MDP in our patient who underwent ATOFEN therapy.