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Osteomyelitis other imaging findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]

Overview

Overview

Three phasic radionuclide imaging with Technetium 99m is a modality for early diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis.

Bone Scan

Bone Scan

  • Radionuclide imaging can be valuable in suspected bone infection, especially early in the course of infection, and when multiple foci are suspected, or an unusual site such as the pelvis, is suspected.
  • Technetium-99 methylene diphosphonate (TC 99m), accumulates in areas of increased bone turnover and is the preferred agent for radionuclide bone imaging (3 phase scan).
  • Inflammation and increased vascularity in osteomyelitis result in increased concentration of 99m Tc, especially in the 3rd phase (4-6hr later).[1]

The following video and images show bone scans of patients with osteomyelitis.

Case courtesy of <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/11714“>rID: 11714</a>
Case courtesy of <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/“>Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href=”https://radiopaedia.org/cases/11714“>rID: 11714</a>

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References

References

  1. Schauwecker DS (1992). “The scintigraphic diagnosis of osteomyelitis”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 158 (1): 9–18. doi:10.2214/ajr.158.1.1727365. PMID 1727365.

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