Uptake of [99mTc]technetium methylene diphosphonate in the growth plates of the rabbit tibia during the final part of epiphyseal growth activity.
Uptake of 99mTc-MDP was measured in the proximal and distal growth plate of the rabbit tibia during the final phase of growth. Scintigraphic data were compared with roentgenographically measured tibial length and signs of bony fusion of the growth plates. Uptake by the proximal tibial growth plate was higher than in the distal tibial plate. Uptake decreased on cessation of growth and during subsequent bony fusion. In particular in the proximal tibial region, uptake was still high after cessation of longitudinal growth, which illustrates that during the final period of growth uptake of 99mTc-MDP by a roentgenographically still open growth plate does not necessarily indicate that such a growth plate still contributes to longitudinal growth. Decrease in uptake during the final phase of growth should be considered, when bone scanning is part of a research protocol.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Utrecht University Hospital, The Netherlands.
P M
PM
Van Roermund
C
C
Haaring
P P
PP
van Rijk
W
W
Renooij
D000818:Animals; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*
D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate