Increased uptake on bone scan on left humerus, i suffer from psoriatic arthritis as well as ankylosing spondilitis. what does this mean?

Varies: There are many potential causes. A bone scan is a very sensitive test for many conditions, but not really very specific. If it lights up in your shoulder joint, then it may be consistent with the two arthritic conditions you have. If it is in the bone itself, there are many other causes. An MRI is much more specific and may give more information in your case.

Non specific: Increased uptake on bone scan is non specific finding. Usually means increased bone repair for infection, trauma, tumor, arthritis etc. Image correlation necessary with plain radiograph, CT, or MRI. Usual areas of possible increased uptake with your underlying disease processes are reactive around joints and spine. Sometimes underlying mineralization of bones plays role in insufficiency fractures

+ bone scan: prob related to PA and suggests that inflammation is present in the left forearm. However there are other causes of increased uptake. Discuss thoroughly with your rheumatologist!

Inflammation: Increased uptake on bone scan is a sign of inflammation in the bone. This can be caused by arthritis, infection, injury, cancer, tumors, etc.

In joint or not: If this is in either end of the humerus near or in the joint it could be due to your psoriatic spondyloarthropathy. If in the shaft and there is no injury it requires further investigation.

Impossible to say: There are several possibilities, several of which have nothing to do with psoriatic arthritis or spondylitis. You need to ask the doctor who ordered the scan. Infection, fractures, tumors and inflammation all cause positive scans.,

? shoulder joint: This may be the shoulder joint which is on top of the humerus. But without looking at the report and the image I can't be certain. Ask your Rheumatologist to clarify the report

Depend on location: It is important to know where in the humerus is the uptake,if it is in the joint must likely the uptake is due to the arthritis,and if located in the shaft tou worry about stress fx or tumor