Technetium-99m(V)-DMSA and gallium-67 in the assessment of bone and joint infection.
The aim of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of scans with 99mTc(V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) to localize bone and joint infection compared with scans using 67Ga.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients referred for investigation of bone and joint infection were studied. In all patients, a bone scan was obtained initially. Subsequently, comparative scans with 99mTc(V)-DMSA and 67Ga were performed 1 wk apart. Microbiological findings, pathologic findings and/or clinical follow-up (until symptoms disappeared) were considered to be proof of the presence of bone and joint infection.


RESULTS
Technetium-99m (V)-DMSA showed greater sensitivity and accuracy than 67Ga in the assessment of bone and joint infection, although the difference was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison with a 67Ga scan, a 99mTc(V)-DMSA scan, in combination with a bone scan, is a reliable way to diagnose bone and joint infection. Both tracers were useful in the diagnosis of bone and joint infection.
Lee
B F
BF
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital, Taiwan.
Chiu
N T
NT
Chang
J K
JK
Liu
G C
GC
Yu
H S
HS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001850:Bone Diseases, Infectious / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid