Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate in sickle cell disease associated with increased splenic density on computerized transaxial tomography.

Splenic uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate was found on the bone scan of a patient with sickle cell disease. No splenic activity was demonstrated on 99mTc-sulfur colloid liver-spleen scans and no evidence of splenic calcification was seen on plain abdominal radiographs. A computerized transaxial tomographic scan, however, did demonstrate a small spleen denser than other abdominal organs. The splenic accumulation of 99mTc-diphosphonate and the increased density on computerized transaxial tomography could be attributed to microscopic splenic calcifications and/or iron deposits in the spleen.