INCREASED RADIONUCLIDE UPTAKE ON BONE SCINTISCANS - A COMMON BUT NOT CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT FINDING FOR HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE 1-INFECTED PATIENTS FREE OF OSTEOARTICULAR SYMPTOMS

The aim of this study was to describe findings of bone scintiscans and their clinical significance for patients infected with human immunode ficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1); 33 HIV-l-infected patients (22 men and 11 women) free of osteoarticular symptoms were included in the study. Plain bone roentgenograms, bone mineral contents (measured by dual-pho ton absorptiometry), and scintiscans (determined with Tc-99m diphospho nate) were obtained for all subjects. Plain bone roentgenograms showed no abnormalities, and bone mineral contents were within the normal ra nge for all patients. Radionuclide bone scans were unremarkable for ei ght patients (24%) and showed symmetrical abnormally increased uptake in the epiphyseal region of the appendicular skeleton in 25 (76%). Fol low-up of the patients for greater than or equal to 1 year ruled out s ubsequent development of osteoarticular disorders. Generalized, symmet rical increased radionuclide uptake on bone scans is a common finding for HIV-l-infected patients free of osteoarticular symptoms, This find ing is probably related to bone marrow hypercellularity and is of no c linical significance; therefore, other diagnostic procedures are not r equired in the workup of these patients.