Bone scintigraphy (also known as skeletal scintigraphy) is a special nuclear medicine examination method used to visualize the metabolic activity of bones. It enables the determination of areas with increased activity and is used in patients with prostate carcinoma to detect tumor metastases in the bones.

However, conspicuous scintigraphic findings are not proof of bone metases. They can also occur with benign bone diseases or signs of wear and tear on the joints (osteoarthritis).

PSMA-PET/CT instead of bone scintigraphy

Due to its limited informative value, bone scintigraphy is increasingly being replaced by PSMA PET/CT examinations . This modern and highly sensitive procedure is much more precise and can detect bone metastases in prostate cancer with greater accuracy.

PSMA PET/CT should always be performed on prostate cancer patients to rule out bone metastases if they have high-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 8-10 or T category cT3/cT4 or PSA≥20 ng/ml).