Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An early sign of pulmonary metastasis

R. S. Liu, Y. K. Chen, S. H. Yen, Y. K. Chu, L. S. Chu, K. Y. Chen, S. H. Yeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and assess its clinical significance. Altogether, 407 NPC patients were reviewed retrospectively. HPO was identified by99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate bone scans and related clinical and radiographic evidence. Pulmonary metastases, bony metastases and titre of anti-Epstein Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin were assessed in patients with and without HPO. The patients had a mean (+S.D.) age of 50.4 ± 12.4 (range 17-73) years. HPO was found in 27 of the 407 (6.6%) NPC patients, among whom 13 (48%) had pulmonary metastases. HPO preceded lung metastases by 7-22 months (14.4 ± 6 months) in 7 (52%) patients. Six patients had overt lung metastases at the time of the bone scan. No significant difference was found in anti-EBV immunoglobulins between the patients with or without HPO, nor in the incidence of bony metastases between these two groups of patients. HPO should be regarded as an early sign of pulmonary metastases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)785-789
Number of pages5
JournalNuclear Medicine Communications
Volume16
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An early sign of pulmonary metastasis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this