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A Nondiagnostic 99mTc-PYP Scan with Absent Skeletal Uptake

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Diagnostics 2026, 16(12), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121829 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 26 May 2026 / Revised: 11 June 2026 / Accepted: 11 June 2026 / Published: 12 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)

Abstract

99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy is widely used for the noninvasive evaluation of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Although interpretation primarily focuses on myocardial uptake, confirmation of appropriate systemic radiotracer biodistribution is essential. We report a case in which an examination presumed to be 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy demonstrated free 99mTc-pertechnetate-like biodistribution. A 75-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease and conduction disturbance underwent 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy for suspected cardiac amyloidosis. The initial study, recorded as the administration of 740 MBq 99mTc-PYP, was imaged 3 h after injection. Planar imaging showed mild apparent activity over the cardiac region; however, SPECT/CT demonstrated no definite myocardial uptake. Instead, intense uptake was observed in the stomach and thyroid gland, with complete absence of skeletal activity. This distribution was inconsistent with correctly administered 99mTc-PYP and suggested free 99mTc-pertechnetate biodistribution, likely due to radiopharmaceutical preparation or administration error. A repeat 99mTc-PYP scan 1.5 months later showed expected skeletal uptake without gastric or thyroid activity and again demonstrated no myocardial uptake. The study was interpreted as negative for cardiac amyloidosis. Gastric and thyroid uptake with absent skeletal activity on presumed 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy should be considered nondiagnostic rather than negative.
Keywords: 99mTc-PYP; cardiac amyloidosis; free pertechnetate; radiopharmaceutical pitfall; SPECT/CT 99mTc-PYP; cardiac amyloidosis; free pertechnetate; radiopharmaceutical pitfall; SPECT/CT

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MDPI and ACS Style

Tokue, H.; Tokue, A.; Tsushima, Y. A Nondiagnostic 99mTc-PYP Scan with Absent Skeletal Uptake. Diagnostics 2026, 16, 1829. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121829

AMA Style

Tokue H, Tokue A, Tsushima Y. A Nondiagnostic 99mTc-PYP Scan with Absent Skeletal Uptake. Diagnostics. 2026; 16(12):1829. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121829

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tokue, Hiroyuki, Azusa Tokue, and Yoshito Tsushima. 2026. "A Nondiagnostic 99mTc-PYP Scan with Absent Skeletal Uptake" Diagnostics 16, no. 12: 1829. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121829

APA Style

Tokue, H., Tokue, A., & Tsushima, Y. (2026). A Nondiagnostic 99mTc-PYP Scan with Absent Skeletal Uptake. Diagnostics, 16(12), 1829. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16121829

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