Enthesopathy of the patellar tendon insertion associated with isotretinoin therapy.

Abstract

A 99mTc-MDP bone scan performed on a 34-yr-old female for suspected osteomyelitis of the proximal tibia revealed focally increased activity in both tibial tuberosities due to enthesopathies secondary to chronic isotretinoin therapy. Physicians should be aware that isotretinoin therapy can cause abnormal bone scans and not mistake these abnormalities for other diseases such as osteomyelitis. Second, bone scans may be helpful in diagnosing and following isotretinoin bone toxicity.