pyrophosphate and Fractures--Ununited

The radionuclide investigation of skeletal trauma in the past was confined generally to scintimetry and an occasional bone scan. The development of improved radiopharmaceuticals, including 99mTc-labeled compounds with their enhanced sensitivity, and the refinement of imaging devices offering superior resolution and speed have allowed a more detailed assessment of conditions resulting from trauma. Practical approaches to the diagnosis of subtle bone injury resulting in stress fracture, the differentiation between delayed healing and nonunion, and early recognition of avascular necrosis and osteomyelitis are now available. The changing pattern of radionuclide uptake in bone following damage by radiation and other abnormalities as a consequence of trauma also can be easily studied.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Athletic Injuries; Calcium Radioisotopes; Child; Diphosphates; Female; Femur Head Necrosis; Fluorine; Fractures, Bone; Fractures, Spontaneous; Fractures, Ununited; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myositis Ossificans; Osteomyelitis; Radiation Injuries; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiotherapy; Strontium Radioisotopes; Technetium

The effect of electric stimulation with direct constant current in induced pseudarthrosis was investigated in the radius of adult dogs. Two surgical techniques for inducing nonunion in the lower third of the radius of adult dogs are also described. Results were evaluated by clinical, radiologic, and histologic examinations and by 99mTc scintillation. A total of 57 animals (41 electrically stimulated and 16 control animals) was used. Statistically significant data show activation of endochrondral ossification and bone union by electric stimulation.

Topics: Animals; Diphosphates; Dogs; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Fractures, Ununited; Microscopy, Electron; Osteogenesis; Pseudarthrosis; Radius Fractures; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Wound Healing

In 20 cases routine static bone scans were no value in the detection of delayed fracture healing. Using the 7.5-15 min net uptake of technetium labelled phosphate, disturbed fracture healing was detected in a series, of 37 cases. Normally healing fractures had an increase of 3 per cent per month and delayed unions less than half that amount. Non-unions had no net uptake.

Topics: Bone Transplantation; Diphosphates; Diphosphonates; Fracture Fixation; Fractures, Bone; Fractures, Ununited; Humans; Male; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate; Tibial Fractures; Time Factors; Wound Healing