Patterns of isotope uptake in sequential postoperative bone scan in undisplaced femoral-neck fractures

Byung Ho Yoon, Young Woong Kim, Hyung Ku Yoon

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7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the changing pattern of isotope uptake in the sequential bone scan test for the prediction of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in patients with an undisplaced femoral-neck fracture. Methods: Fifty-four cases of sequential bone scan for nondisplaced femoral-neck fracture treated by internal fixation with cannulated screws between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively studied. The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years. The first postoperative bone scan was performed two weeks postoperatively in all patients. Second, third, and fourth follow-up bone scans were performed at one to six months, 12-18 months, and 18-24 months postoperatively. Results: Mean femoral-head ratio (FHR) in the first postoperative bone scan was 0.99. Although it was under 1.0 in 38 patients (70.4 % of the 54 patients), only one patient developed osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The others showed hot uptake in their second follow-up bone scan. Mean FHRs in the second, third, and fourth postoperative bone scans were 1.69, 1.29, and 1.05, respectively, and there were significant statistical differences in each follow-up period (P = 0.035). In addition, there were unique patterns of isotope uptake with the passage of time, such as cold uptake in the early stage, hot uptake in a couple of months, and iso-uptake in the late stage. Conclusions: Early postoperative bone scan results should not be over interpreted when predicting osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1541-1545
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Orthopaedics
Volume37
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2013

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