[Scintigraphy in the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylarthritis in children]

Scintigraphic examination of the joints and spine was performed in 42 children with Bekhterev's disease and rheumatoid arthritis to establish different accumulation of 99mTc-pyrophosphate. In Bekhterev's disease, elevated concentration of the radio-indicator was detected was detected in the joints of the lower limbs, including hip joints, in the sacroiliac parts of the spine and in heels. In rheumatoid arthritis, it was mainly detectable in the joints of the upper limbs and sometimes in the cervical part of the spine. Scintigraphy of the joints may be helpful in differential diagnosis of the above-indicated disease entities.