Scintigraphic evaluation of diabetic osteomyelitis: concise communication.

We have reviewed the three-phase bone scans, radiographs, and histologic findings of 39 diabetic patients with serious foot problems. The sensitivity and specificity of bone scans were 83% and 75%, respectively, for osteomyelitis of the small bones of the foot. The positive and negative predictive values were 87% and 69%, respectively. The radiographs were less sensitive (62%) and less specific (69%), with predictive values of 80% (positive) and 47% (negative).