Radionuclide imaging. Use in diagnosis of osteomyelitis in children.

Forty-four children were studied for the presence of osteomyelitis by scintigraphy using Tc 99m etidronate tin complex. Evidence of osteomyelitis on radionuclide images was found in 16 of 19 patients considered to have osteomyelitis by their attending physicians. Bone scintigraphic changes were noted prior to or in the absence of roentgenographic abnormalities in 10 of 19 patients. Cases of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, chronic osteomyelitis, and osteomyelitis caused by penetrating trauma and contiguous infection were identified. Three bone infarctions were correctly diagnosed.