title: Three-phase bone scan in osteomyelitis and other musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: The three-phase bone scan is very sensitive and is the study of choice in the evaluation of patients with suspected osteomyelitis and normal radiographs. If the underlying bone pathology, such as a healing fracture or degenerative disease, is detected on radiographs of the bone, the indium-111-labeled autologous leukocyte scan is the most cost-effective second study. When fracture of the long bones is clinically suspected but radiographs are normal and a delay in definitive diagnosis is acceptable, it is practical and economical to take follow-up films in 10 to 14 days. In cases requiring prompt diagnosis or when follow-up radiographic films are not diagnostic, the three-phase bone scan is the most cost-effective study. The three-phase bone scan is also used in the evaluation of occupational and sports injuries, including shin splints, stress and occult fractures, enthesiopathies and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Sutter
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging