Usefulness of bone imaging in diagnosis of sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis (SCCH) is a rare disease that is characterized by hyperostosis and soft tissue ossification between the clavicles and the anterior part of the upper ribs. There have been few published reports of 99mTc-MDP bone imaging findings in this disease. Thirty-three patients who were suspected to have SCCH were studied with 99mTc-MDP bone imaging. Bone images were abnormal in 31 (94%) of 33 patients. Chest radiographs were available in 30 patients, but negative in 14 (46%) of them. Bone imaging revealed also radionuclide accumulations in other bones such as the vertebrae, femur or sacroiliac joints in ten (14 sites) of 33 cases. Bone scintigraphy was useful in the diagnosis of sternoclavicular hyperostosis.