Normal anatomic variant: scintigraphy of the ischiopubic synchondrosis

Radionuclide bone imaging in pediatric patients occasionally shows a focus of distinct localized increase of radiotracer uptake at the ischiopubic synchondrosis. Correlation of radionuclide bone images and conventional radiographs of this area in a group of pediatric patients demonstrates the positive bone scans to correlate with the period of beginning but incomplete fusion of the synchondrosis. This represents a normal phase of skeletal development that radiographically and scintigraphically may mimic disease and should not be confused with a focus of pathologic activity.