Scintigraphy in the evaluation of arthropathy

Significant progress has been made in radionuclide imaging of bones and joints. This largely is owing to advances in radiopharmaceuticals, particularly the antibodies, and in technology, particularly in the introduction of new computers and multiheaded camera systems resulting in improved imaging. These techniques have applied to the evaluation of articular and para-articular diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, osteoid osteoma, transient osteoporosis, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, avascular necrosis, and facet joint syndrome. This article reviews scintigraphy in these conditions.