Enhanced diagnosis of hand and wrist disorders by triple phase radionuclide bone imaging.

Triple phase radionuclide bone imaging (TPI), a diagnostic study, consists of a blood flow evaluation by means of an intravenous bolus injection of radionuclide tracer and rapid sequential images which show the arterial pattern; an immediate static image reflecting the pooling of activity in the soft tissues; and delayed static images taken about one hour later which reflect bone localization of the radiotracer. TPI is not specific for a particular condition, but it will confirm or rule out the presence of disease.