Healing Fractures Mimicking Bone Metastases on Scintigraphy: Recognising a Common Diagnostic Pitfall

A 40-year-old female presented with acute left knee pain. Transverse white line over the left fibula was initially seen on initial X-ray virtually. Whole-body bone scintigraphy Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography demonstrated hyperintense left fibula head and solitary hot spot in left second costochondral junction raising suspicion of malignancy. Nevertheless, blood tests were unremarkable, and magnetic resonance imaging of the fibula revealed a stress fracture. This case highlights the ability of bone scans to detect early lesions undetectable on X-ray while demonstrating how bone repair processes may mimic malignancy on imaging.