Osteoscintimetry--a method of semiquantitative evaluation of skeletal scintigrams by use of profiles and a macro...

A computer macro-program was developed for standardized, semiquantitative measurement of radiotracer uptake. The method uses profiles of selectable length, width, and inclination according to the anatomical structures of the pathological and the corresponding healthy region. The ratio of the two curves is calculated automatically and shown as an 'uptake curve'. The essential use of osteoscintimetry is in the follow-up examination if small changes of regional uptake have to be identified. The profile-technique rather than the ROI-technique was selected, because the main benefit of the profile-technique is that the results of follow-up examinations are comparable to previous examinations with a standard deviation of +/-5%.