Evaluation of growth in children using quantitative bone scintigraphy.

Our aim was to assess the value of quantitative bone scintigraphy for evaluating long-bone growth and to establish the normal uptake patterns of the growth plate in children. Subjects (180 girls, 154 boys) of normal weight and height, aged 2-20 years, were investigated using skeletal scintigraphy. Regions of interest were outlined over posterior images of the distal femoral growth plate and femoral diaphysis. The average number of counts per fixel in each region of interest was determined. The ratio of uptake in the distal femoral growth plate to that in the femoral diaphysis (GP:D ratio) was calculated for all subjects, and its relationship with age was determined. Peak GP:D ratios in girls and boys were reached at ages 11 and 13 years, respectively (8.26 in girls and 8.18 in boys), corresponding to the periods of most rapid growth. Our findings suggest that determining the scintigraphic GP:D ratio may be useful for evaluating growth and development in children if normal standard GP:D ratios are established.