Total body scanning with strontium-85 in the diagnosis of metastatic bone disease.

To demonstrate skeletal metastases before radiographic changes were apparent, Sr(85) scans were carried out on 46 patients who complained of sketetal pain but whose radiographs were negative. Positive scans were obtained in 34 patients, 20 of whom were subsequently shown to have metastases; three did not have skeletal metastases a year or more later; the outcome is unknown in 11 patients. Twelve patients had negative scans: three ultimately developed metastases, six did not, and three were inconclusive. Autoradiographs demonstrated Sr(85) concentrations in areas of reactive osteogenesis.Although not specific for skeletal metastases, Sr(85) scans are most helpful in substantiating this diagnosis when radiographic changes are absent.