Combined leukocyte and bone imaging used to evaluate diabetic osteoarthropathy and osteomyelitis

Six diabetic patients with roentgenographic finding of osteomyelitis, osteoarthropathy, or both, had combined leukocyte and bone imaging. Bone images demonstrated increased activity in all cases, including three without osteomyelitis. Leukocyte images, however, showed increased activity in only the three cases of osteomyelitis. There was minimal or no activity in the other three cases where osteoarthropathy was ultimately believed to be the basis of the roentgenographic and bone imaging changes.