Radionuclide imaging of osseous trauma

Should bone scintigraphy be used as a routine adjunct to skeletal survey in the imaging of non-accidental injury? A 10 year review of reports in a single centre

“…As BS may remain abnormal for years following trauma, 22 it cannot accurately quantify stages of bone healing or determine the age of fractures. In addition, BS may be abnormal as a result not only of trauma but also infection or tumour, and it is imperative that any scintigraphic abnormality is carefully correlated with the clinical and radiographic findings.…”

Bony sclerosis and the battered child

“…An interesting sidelight in this case is the negative radionuclide bone scan despite obvious periosteal reaction on the radiographs. The increasing usage of bone scanning for the evaluation of trauma [5,6,9] would suggest a highly sensitive method of diagnosis for this syndrome. In fact Fordham states that 'the battered child will demonstrate far more abnormality on the bone scan than can be demonstrated roentgenographically ...' [6].…”

“…The increasing usage of bone scanning for the evaluation of trauma [5,6,9] would suggest a highly sensitive method of diagnosis for this syndrome. In fact Fordham states that 'the battered child will demonstrate far more abnormality on the bone scan than can be demonstrated roentgenographically ...' [6]. In this case the isotope study may have been negative due to lack of resolution because of the patient's small size or due to the stage of development of the osseous changes at the time of the scan.…”

Bone scintigraphy in the management of X-ray-negative potential scaphoid fractures.

“…(Fordham & Ramachandran, 1979;Batillas et al, 1981;Rosenthal et al, 1976;Marty et al, 1976). In particular, there have been many reports of the usefulness of BS in the management of fractures of the scaphoid (O'Carroll et al, 1982;Stordahl et al, 1984;Rolfe et al, 1981;Nielson et al, 1983;Ganel et al, 1979).…”