technetium-tc-99m-pyrophosphate and Spinal-Cord-Injuries

Whole body 99Tc-pyrophosphate bone scans were obtained and correlated with skeletal radiographs for detection of heterotopic ossification in 135 spinal injury patients. There were 40 patients with recent injury (less than 6 months) and 95 with injury of over 6 months duration. Heterotopic new bone was detected on the bone scan in 33.7% of 95 patients with spinal cord injuries of more than 6 months duration and 30% of 40 patients with injuries of less than 6 months. The radionuclide scan was found to be useful in detection of heterotopic ossification at its early stage and in its differentiation from other complications in spinal cord injury patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Diphosphates; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ossification, Heterotopic; Radionuclide Imaging; Spinal Cord Injuries; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Pyrophosphate