BONE AND GALLIUM SCINTIGRAPHY IN POLYOSTOTIC ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE UPPER-LIMB

Actinomycosis is a chronic, suppurative infection caused by the anaerobic actinomycete, Actinomyces israelii. As Actinomyces israelii is a resident of the gastrointestinal tract, infection usually occurs through a break in the mucosa or aspiration into the lungs. Rarely, however, hematogenous spread to bone occurs. A rare case of actinomycosis involving three long bones (the humerus, ulna, and radius) is reported. Planar and SPECT bone and gallium scintigraphy demonstrated increased uptake in the affected bones and in adjacent soft tissue.