[The value of scintigraphy for the early detection of osteomyelitis (author's transl)]

For therapy and development of acute haematogenic osteomyelitis early detection of this disease is decisive. In our study 74 children were investigated scintigraphically with Tc-pyrophosphat because of suspicion of an inflammatory bone process. In all 23 cases of osteomyelitis scintigraphy showed an indication in form of increased activity in the respective bones; so the sensivity of this investigation, found in our study, was 1.0. In 10 of 51 cases without osteomyelitis scintigraphy, however, also showed increased activity. Because of this limited specifity of scanning further investigations are needed in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. The main advantage of scintigraphy as compared with roentgen observation is the high sensitivity in the first days of illness. In addition scanning may supply valuable informations about the inflammatory process as long as it is active.