Paget' s disease : quantification of TC 99m- MDP uptake in patients with Paget' s disease and its correlation with serum alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract

Paget's disease is a non-inflammatory condition of the skeletal system, mainly the pelvis, the long bones of the lower limbs and the skull. As a disease, Paget's is of unknown origin and is characterised by prolonged spreading changes in one or more bones. This research project was designed to correlate the quantification of Tc-99m MDP uptake with serum Alkaline Phosphatase levels in patients with Paget's disease. The study, was performed by looking into data stored at the Gamma Camera unit at St Luke's hospital of patients who attended examinations between January 1997 and June 1997. Forty three (43) patients were found to suffer from the disease. The results confirmed the positive correlation between the activity index and the serum Alkaline Phosphatase levels. This indicated that serum Alkaline Phosphatase is sufficient for the follow up of patients once the treatment is started. On the basis of the results, recommendations are proposed to implement serum Alkaline Phosphatase as the test to follow up patients suffering from Paget's disease.