[Detection of primarily unrecognized fractures in severely injured patients by skeletal scintigraphy]

Even in despite of diligent investigation clinical and radiological diagnostics can leave fractures unrecognized in seriously injured patients. Bone-scans of 53 patients revealed 68 additional fractures. In 45% of all cases the initial diagnosis was altered, 19% resulted in therapeutical consequences. Routine diagnostics should be supplemented by a bone-scan if clinical and radiological findings are not in line. A bone-scan can exclude any osseous lesion and can survey the full extent of injuries especially in the disoriented or unconscious patient.