Objective To explore the imaging features and clinical significance of solitary costal hot spots on bone scintigraphy (BS). Methods Eighty-four patients with single costal hot spots were enrolled in the study. The sites of lesions were classified into four types: junction betweenaor rib. The shapes of hot spots were classified into three forms: Punctiform, clumping and strip. The above data were respectively analyzed. Results Single hot spots were mainly showed in the punctiform and strip shapes, and the distribution of punctiform spots were mainly in the sites of junction between costal cartilage and rib and frontal ribs, also mainly due to costal fractures (42/61, 68.85%). The majority of spots in strip shape were costal metastases(18/19, 94.74%). Hot spots in posterior ribs were also mainly costal metastases (24/29,82.76%). Conclusion Useful imaging features can be obtained from BS with al diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.

Objective:Our aim was to study the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and pulmonary perfusion imaging in determining of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Methods: We measured ANP levels by using radioimmunoassay after making various types of PAH in rabbits. Catheterization and pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging were used in the control group. Results: When the pulmonary artery pressure increased slightly, the ANP levels were lower in PAH group than that of control group, but the difference was not significant (t=1, P>0.05). At the same time, pressure measured by catheterization did not change as the control group, but the ratio of back/abdomen radiopharmaceuticals distribution which was measured with pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging was significantly higher in PAH group than that of the control (t=2.5, P<0.05). The difference between the ANP levels when the pulmonary artery pressure increased medially and seriously was significant (t＝4.0 and 6.5, P＜0.05). The other two methods got the same result (P＜0.05). Results of three examining methods were positively related. Conclusion:The ANP levels can determine the degree of PAH, and it was simple. But it was not as sensitive as that of pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging.