Imaging for infection: caution required with the Charcot joint

Eur J Nucl Med. 1988;13(10):523-6. doi: 10.1007/BF00256628.

Abstract

Scintigraphic techniques for detecting bone infection can be misleading in neuroarthropathy (Charcot joint). Three patients showed strongly positive three phase bone and 67Ga imaging despite absence of osteitis. Indium labelled white cell imaging provided the correct information on each patient. The findings have important implications for the investigation of diabetic patients with suspected bone infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthropathy, Neurogenic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arthropathy, Neurogenic / etiology
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Leukocytes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteitis / etiology
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate