The value of skeletal scintigraphy in predicting the need for revision surgery in total knee replacement.
We have reviewed the results of 99mtech-netium-methylene diphosphonate (Tc-MDP) bone scintigrams performed on patients following total knee arthroplasty. In addition, 67gallium (Ga) citrate scintigrams were carried out sequentially on 29 patients. Three groups of patients were identified: those with asymptomatic knees (undergoing scans for other reasons); those with aseptic or septic loosening; and those with pain without radiologic evidence of loosening. There was good correlation between the results of the scans and the final outcome. We conclude that sequential 99mTc-MDP and 67Ga citrate scintigrams are useful for demonstrating the presence of aseptic and septic loosening in knee prostheses, and pain with a normal scan appearance is probably not due to loosening or infection.
Henderson
J J
JJ
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Manchester Medical School, Salford, UK.
Bamford
D J
DJ
Noble
J
J
Brown
J D
JD
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery; D002951:Citrates; D019343:Citric Acid; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012086:Reoperation; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002951:Citrates; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D019343:Citric Acid; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate