The Role of Strontium 85 in the Detection of Bone Disease

Abstract

In 300 patients Sr85 bone uptake determinations by external scintillation counting were performed during a sixteen-month interval. Any abnormality inducing an increased calcium accretion rate will be reflected in an increased Sr85 uptake. Metastatic disease was detected before its presence could be visualized on the roentgenogram. An increased concentration of Sr85 may also be associated with: benign tumors, fractures (recent, delayed union, and nonunion), osteomyelitis, degenerative arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Paget''s disease, hyper-ostosis frontalis interna, surgical osteotomy, fibrous dysplasia, osteochondromatosis, and growing epiphyses. Interpretation of Sr85 counts or scan must be made in light of the clinical and roentgen findings.