Hallucal sesamoiditis manifested on bone scan
1From the *Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital; and †National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|November 12, 2013
Summary
Hallucal sesamoiditis, a common cause of big toe pain, can be diagnosed using a 99mTc-MDP bone scan. This imaging technique is crucial for identifying inflammation or fractures in these small bones.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Podiatry
- Radiology
Background:
- The hallucal sesamoids, embedded within the flexor hallucis brevis, are critical for big toe function and weight-bearing.
- These small bones act as a pulley system, aiding in plantarflexion during ambulation.
- Repetitive stress or acute trauma can lead to sesamoiditis or fractures.
Observation:
- A case study involving a woman presenting with significant big toe pain during walking.
- The patient's symptoms were indicative of potential sesamoid apparatus pathology.
Findings:
- The 99mTc-MDP bone scan effectively visualized increased radiotracer uptake in the hallucal sesamoids.
- This finding confirmed the diagnosis of hallucal sesamoiditis in the presented case.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic utility of 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy for hallucal sesamoiditis.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering bone scans in evaluating persistent big toe pain.
- Provides a valuable diagnostic tool for clinicians managing forefoot pathologies.
