99mTc in evaluation of sacro-iliac arthritis

Profile scintigraphy using 99mTc has been employed in the study of sacro-iliac joints in order to achieve objective registration of inflammatory activity in the notoriously difficulty investigated sacro-iliac joints. The study showed good correlation between uptake values of the profile curve and inflammatory activity in the sacro-iliac joints. Differences between the means of the 99mTc uptake for patients with arthritis in the sacro-iliac joints, compared with those in the controls were highly significant (P less than 0.001). The method gives quantitative results which are comparable between different individuals. The shape of the uptake curve is informative. Side differences can be demonstrated and are valuable in estimation of asymmetric inflammation of sacro-iliac joints.