Comparison of bone scans, parathyroid hormone levels and bone mineral densities in hemodialysis patients.

We have evaluated bone scans, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and bone mineral densities (BMDs) of hemodialysis (HD) patients. The bone scans were grouped into 4 types (type 1-4). Type 1 showed a diffusely high activity of the tracer in the whole skeleton especially in the skull: secondary hyperparathyroidism pattern. Type 2 showed high background activity, the same pattern as osteomalacia. Type 3 was a mixture of types 1 and 2. Type 4 was almost normal. The PTH levels of type 1 were higher and the radius BMDs were lower than those of the other types. The radius BMDs in one third of type-2 patients were lower than the normal range. A comparison of bone scans, PTH and BMDs helps to evaluate bone changes in HD patients.