Bone infection in patients suspected of complicating osteomyelitis: the diagnostic value of dual isotope bone-granulocyte scintigraphy

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of dual isotope bone-granulocyte scintigraphy in patients with known bone pathology clinically suspected of osteomyelitis, i.e. complicating osteomyelitis, using per-operative bacterial culture from bone as reference.

METHODS: Simultaneous dual isotope bone-granulocyte scintigraphic images were obtained in 42 consecutive patients in whom conventional X-ray, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein were also available. 99mTc MDP bone and 111In labelled granulocyte imaging was obtained simultaneously. The images were interpreted as positive for osteomyelitis if regions of interests of pathologic 111In granulocyte accumulation included 99mTc MDP activity on the bone images (except in the spine).

RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84, 71 and 79%, respectively, for simultaneous, dual isotope bone-granulocyte scintigraphy, higher than the other diagnostic parameters.

CONCLUSION: Simultaneous bone-granulocyte scintigraphy is a valuable diagnostic tool in diagnosing osteomyelitis complicating other bone pathology with or without soft-tissue infection.