Scintigraphy of lower extremity cadaveric bone allografts in osteosarcoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe scintigraphic characteristics of bone allografts used in limb salvage reconstruction after resection of lower extremity osteosarcoma.


METHODS
The authors reviewed 85 skeletal scintigrams of 20 pediatric patients followed up for 0.5-5.7 years after resection of lower extremity osteosarcoma and allograft reconstruction. Uptake in the allograft and adjacent host tissues was assessed visually.


RESULTS
Lack of tracer uptake in the allografts was seen in 99% of the studies and a faint rim of tracer localization outlining the allograft's periphery was seen in 95% of the studies. Increased uptake was noted at the allograft-host bone junction in 78% of the studies. Uptake was increased in the joint surfaces of native bones articulating with allografts (97% of studies), including the patella (93% of studies) when the knee was involved. These findings were stabilized as time passed.


CONCLUSIONS
Cadaveric bone allografts have a characteristic scintigraphic appearance in this selected patient group that reflects the physiology of their incorporation process.
Bar-Sever
Z
Z
Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Connolly
L P
LP
Gebhardt
M C
MC
Treves
S T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate; D013977:Tibia
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate