Technetium-99 m-MDP scintigraphy and long-term follow-up of musculo-skeletal sarcoma reconstructed with pasteurized autologous bone graft

Abstract

Local bone tumor excision followed by pasteurization and reimplantation is a unique technique of reconstruction for sarcoma patients. The long-term scintigraphic findings of pasteurized bone grafts in relation to clinical patients' data were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-two sarcoma patients (mean age, 24 years) done between April 2000 and January 2004 constituted the material of this study. One hundred and fifty-two 99 m TC-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) whole-body scans were reviewed. Initially, all autografts appeared as photon deficient areas. Diffusely increased bone uptake was present at the osteotomy sites within 4-6 months after surgery, the uptake of the grafted pasteurized bone was detected in 17 patients from about 6 months after surgery. Of 22 patients, 11 (50%) showed higher uptake than the normal bone, 6 (27%) had uptake similar to the normal bone, while 5 (23%) had less uptake than the normal bone. Radiologically, 15 patients (68%) showed complete incorporation of graft and 5 patients (23%) had partial incorporation. Oncologically, 16 patients are disease free, while 6 died of disease. No local recurrence was detected at a mean of 59 months, while fracture (13.6%) eventually healed with bone grafting and revision of internal fixation, graft collapse (9%) (needed revision arthroplasty) and infection (9%), one cured and one converted to rotationplasty, were the major complications encountered. Significantly more mechanical complications were seen when tracer uptake suggestive of revascularization occurred; thus, revascularization and partial bone ingrowth are not sufficient conditions for lower mechanical complication rate. The method of pasteurization of bone is a useful option for reconstruction after resection of malignant bone tumors.