The nuclide bone scan in the diagnosis of Perthes' disease

The prognosis in the management of Perthes' disease depends entirely on appropriate treatment following an early and accurate diagnosis of the condition and on the state of revascularization at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis is vital for a congruous femoral head to be obtained at the conclusion of treatment. The nuclide bone scan provides, at present, the most sophisticated investigation to enable such an early diagnosis to be made. A scan should be performed in all patients with a suggestive presentation in routine roentgenograms and in cases of transient synovitis with unusual features or that fail to subside rapidly or that recur.