[5-year scintigraphic study of children with Perthes disease. Diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic consequences]

The value of bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up of Perthes disease has been studied in 179 patients. Amongst 63 patients with Perthes' disease, there were 11 in whom the diagnosis could be made by scintigraphy before there were radiological signs. This enables early treatment to be carried out and leads to a shorter course of the disease and improved end-results. Scintigraphy alone makes it possible to judge the actual state of revitalization of the necrotic femoral head. From this, it is possible to derive the indications for a displacement osteotomy before the radiological signs of a "head at risk" appear.