Scintigraphy in diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the jaws

The symptoms of an acute osteomyelitis of the jaws are often uncharacteristic, and typical radiographic changes usually do not appear until after the first weeks of disease. Even when such changes are established it is difficult to distinguish an active infectious disease from lasting changes due to a sterilized osteomyelitis. Scintigraphy with bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals appears to be a valuable diagnostic technique. A case of osteomyelitis of the mandible is reported.