THE EFFECT OF IATROGENIC TRAUMA ON THE BONE SCINTIGRAM - AN ANIMAL STUDY - CONCISE COMMUNICATION

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (9) , 978-981
Abstract
An animal [rabbit and dog] study was performed to assess the effect on the 99mTc phosphate bone scintigram of injury by needle aspiration or drill hole to metaphyseal and diaphyseal areas in immature and mature bones. Results showed that in 12 immature rabbits such trauma to metaphyseal regions had no effect on the bone image. Similar metaphyseal trauma in 2 mature dogs showed definite abnormalities on the bone image, but in 1 mature rabbit, no abnormality could be identified by scintigram. Diaphyseal trauma always gave a definitely abnormal bone image. Extrapolation of these results to humans should be cautious, but it suggests that needling or drilling in metaphyseal regions in neonates or young children probably does not affect later bone images.