Evaluation of fracture healing in man by serial 99mTcSn-pyrophosphate scintimetry

Serial 99mTc-pyrophosphate (99mTcPP) uptake measurements were performed, during the healing period, in 12 patients with fracture of the distal end of the radius without displacement. A peak value in uptake ratio was seen within 4 weeks in all patients. For clinical reasons the patients were divided into a normal healing and a slow healing group. 99mTcPP uptake at 6 weeks after the fracture was significantly higher in the slow healing group. Quantitation of the healing process in forearm fractures is possible using 99mTcPP and a gamma camera, and concentrating on small selected areas of interest.