[Indium-111 scintigraphy in acute and chronic osteomyelitis in animal model. An experimental study]

Studies on 28 New Zealand white rabbits with experimentally induced osteomyelitis show that 111In-leukocyte scans turn negative when inflammation changes from the acute stage (histologically represented mainly by granulocytes and only small development of collagenous fibres) into the chronic stage (histologically showing marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and increased development of connective tissue). Falsely negative scans (i.e. cold lesions) are due to marked medullar necroses accompanied by diminished development of an abscess wall and reduced concentration of granulocytes within the necroses. Truly negative scans (i.e. cold lesions) are seen in chronic osteomyelitis with extended medullar fibrosis accompanied by reduced blood flow in comparison to the normal medullar bone of the contralateral side. The histological course of experimental osteomyelitis in rabbits is in some respect comparable with the stages of osteomyelitis in man and allows to predict the result of the leukocyte scan.