Upper extremity radionuclide bone imaging: the wrist and hand.

Bone scintigraphy of the hands and wrists represents an important adjunct imaging technique that complements plain film radiographic examination. The use of the three-phase bone scan provides clinical information not only regarding osseous uptake but the blood flow and extravascular distribution of the radiotracer as well. Scintigraphic evaluation of the hands and wrists is employed in acute and chronic conditions. In the event of an equivocal or negative plain film, the bone scan can identify occult fractures. Of particular concern is the identification of scaphoid fractures due to the higher incidence of osteonecrosis. Work related injuries represent a significant health issue. The bone scan can be a part of the algorithm for evaluating chronic pain syndromes including reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The complimentary roles of bone scanning and imaging with gallium-67 citrate or radiolabeled leukocytes has proven useful in the evaluation of acute or chronic osteomyelitis. In addition, the diphosphonates are useful in identifying solitary and multiple primary bone tumors. In the case of primary bone tumor, thallium-201 can be used to evaluate response to therapy. Although uncommon in the hand and wrist, the bone scan can identify metastatic tumors or tumor-related conditions such as hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Finally, bone scintigraphy may be useful in identifying location and extent in a variety of conditions such as fibrous dysplasia, histiocytosis X, and Paget's disease.