title: Chondrolysis: detection by bone scintigraphy.
abstract: Premature closure of the physis of the greater trochanter has been reported to be a predictive sign of chondrolysis in hips with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). In the present series, the physis of the greater trochanter showed decreased activity on bone scintigraphy in 16 patients with SCFE and concurrent or developing chondrolysis. In five of these patients, the scintigraphic pattern (decreased activity of the physis of the greater trochanter) preceded radiographic changes of chondrolysis. In 13 patients with SCFE without chondrolysis, the physis of the greater trochanter appeared normal on scintigrams and open on radiographs. Use of scintigraphy in patients with SCFE permitted earlier recognition of chondrolysis, increasing the potential of altering the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keret
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Harcke
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bowen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D004839:Epiphyses, Slipped / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
chemical_list: D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate