Assessment of tissue viability in frostbite by 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy.

Technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy was performed in the involved extremities of six patients with severe frostbite of the hands (six cases) and feet (one case). There was good correlation between the scintigraphic findings and the extent of deep tissue ultimately requiring surgical resection. Technetium-99m pertechnetate imaging distinguishes viable from dead tissue in frostbite in a simple, noninvasive manner, and findings are easy to interpret. A persistent perfusion defect is seen in nonviable tissue.