Combined Bone Scintigraphy
What is it?
This examination allows to study, through the intravenous application of a radiopharmaceutical, the presence of an inflammatory process and a possible alteration of the metabolic system of a specific bone district that may occur in some situations.
When is this exam indicated?
- osteomyelitis and septic arthritis;
- aseptic necrosis;
- follow-up of prosthesis implantation and autografts;
- mobilization of arthroplasty or its septic complications;
- suspected stress fractures;
- algo-dystrophy;
- osteoid osteoma.
How is it performed?
Diphosphonate derivatives are used, marked with Tc-99m pertechnetate and delivered intravenously.
The behavior of the radioactive tracer at the level of a bone segment is followed by sequential imaging from the time of administration until bone fixation.
Bone scintigraphy is therefore "polyphasic" because it allows to evaluate:
- inflow of the tracer into a particular bone segment (vascular phase);
- subsequent distribution of the tracer in the surrounding area (early phase);
- late uptake that depends on metabolic activity (late phase).The patient does not need any preparation.
The duration of the examination is about 3 hours.
It is recommended to take 2-3 glasses of water after the intravenous application to facilitate the elimination of the radiopharmaceutical.
Contraindications
The use of ionizing radiation. Minor allergic reactions have been reported.
Where do we treat it?
Our Departments
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