Anthropometric measures to improve acquisition parameters in bone scans

Medidas antropométricas para mejoramiento de parámetros de adquisición de gammagrafías óseas

Bone scintigraphy is a sensitive method for detecting bone metastases; it is also useful in evaluating its extension, one year before radiographic alterations are found. Acquisition parameters are important in this procedure, which is influenced by anthropometric measures from patients requiring this study. The objective of the present study is to optimize bone scan acquisition, considering the patient’s height and adding feet measurement, having as reference the shoe number. A device was designed in order to make these measurements, with a practical form, to make it easy to perform and without any inconvenience for patients. In this descriptive observational study 82 patients with cancer were evaluated in the Nuclear Medicine Center of the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN). Results are presented with the aim to define and optimize a better acquisition of whole bod can images, adding feet measurement to have a better efficiency of these procedures.