Bone scintigraphic findings of os trigonum: a prospective study of 100 soldiers on active duty.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical significance of an increased uptake of 99mTc methylene-diphosphonate (Tc-MDP) in the os trigonum region seen on bone scintigrams of soldiers on active duty.


METHODS
Radionuclide whole-body skeletal imaging and physical examination of the foot were carried out in 100 consecutive soldiers on active duty referred for evaluation of suspected stress-injury of the lower limbs, back pain, and different skeletal trauma. Lateral radiographs of the foot were performed in those with increased uptake of Tc-MDP at the site of os trigonum. Radiographic, scintigraphic, and clinical findings were correlated.


RESULTS
Among 200 feet, 27 (13.5%) showed an increased uptake of Tc-MDP in the os trigonum region. The right side was affected in six patients, the left side in 11 and five patients had bilaterally increased uptake. On X-rays, 31 of 44 feet showed the os trigonum. Only 10 of these 27 feet (37%) had a symptomatic os trigonum.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that increased uptake of Tc-MDP in the os trigonum region is a frequent finding among active soldiers and is of limited value in detecting symptomatic os trigonum.
Sopov
V
V
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Liberson
A
A
Groshar
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D013628:Talus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate