Bone imaging as an aid for the diagnosis of osteopoikilosis.

An unusual case of osteopoikilosis was found in a 52-year-old black woman. The rather large diffuse focal increased densities involving the ribs, spine, and pelvis as seen in the roentgenograms were believed to represent metastatic bone lesions. The normal nuclide bone images helped revise the diagnosis to osteopoikilosis. Early recognition of osteopoikilosis would have prevented the patient's apprehension and the extensive work-up for the primary tumor.