Scintimetric evaluation of posttraumatic and postoperative growth disturbance using 99Tcm MDP

Scintimetry with 99Tcm MDP was performed in 32 growth regions in 8 children with localized growth disturbances after surgery or injury. The results were compared with the simultaneously performed growth rate analysis using roentgen stereophotogrammetry. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the nuclide bone images of the anterior view was performed. Numeric ratios, obtained by comparing count rate levels of injured or operated growth region with the corresponding contralateral region, are presented and a satisfactory correlation with the roentgen stereophotogrammetric growth rate analysis was found. Nuclide bone-imaging of growth regions at the knee and ankle provides valuable and significant information about growth and was found to be a clinically useful method when combined with standard radiographic techniques to evaluate growth conditions.