Analysis of radioactive distribution in the sacrum in whole-body bone scanning

Objective To analyze the radiogenic distribution in the sacrum in whole-body bone scanning. Methods A total of 212 patients receiving whole-body bone scanning without any explicit bone metastases were divided into different age and gender groups. The radioactive distribution in the sacrum in whole-body bone scanning was analyzed statistically. Results Of these cases, 31.1% presented with thin radioactive distribution in the sacrum and 11.3% exhibited increased radioactive distribution. Normal radioactive distribution in the sacrum was found in 57.6% of the cases. In both male and female elderly patients (70 years), the rate of normal radioactive distribution in the sacrum was obviously reduced with increased rate of thin radioactive distribution. The female elderly patients showed higher rate of increased radioactive distribution in the sacrum than male elderly patients. Conclusions The radioactive distribution in the sacrum is similar between female and male patients. Elderly male patients over 70 years have generally thin radioactive distribution in the sacrum due to the presence of osteoporosis, which is also associated with latent fracture of the sacrum to result in increased radioactive distribution in the sacrum in whole-body bone scanning.