Nuclear imaging for musculoskeletal infections in children

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent bone scanning for possible osteomyelitis at the Naval Regional Medical Center (Portsmouth, VA, U.S.A.) between 1980 and 1983. Among 63 children, there were 20 sites of osteomyelitis. We were able to conclude that a high proportion of neonates with septic arthritis will have osteomyelitis and that bone scan is not helpful in this age group. Nuclear imaging of the foot was less reliable than imaging of the remainder of the extremities. The bone scan can be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in certain children, but is not a substitute for an accurate clinical examination and appropriate workup.