Regional scintimetry in scaphoid fractures.

A quantitative scintigraphic method was introduced to examine the proximal, middle and distal third of the carpal scaphoid bone. 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate scintimetry was obtained by the use of a gamma camera equipped with a pinhole collimator. Of six patients in whom a unilateral fresh fracture of the scaphoid was clinically suspected, radiology showed a fracture of the scaphoid in four and no fractures in two. The method may be suitable in early diagnosis and further localization of clinically suspected fractures with initially non-diagnostic radiographs.