[Radionuclide diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of the long tubular bones in children].

Computerized osteoscintigrams of 54 children with osseous diseases (osteomyelitis, osseous tumors and arthritis) were analysed. 99mTc-pyrophosphate elevated accumulation in inflammatory processes was observed not only in the pathological zone but also in the epiphyses of the affected limb. The accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical agent calculated in several zones of the affected and healthy limbs provides for significant differential diagnosis of acute hematogenic osteomyelitis. In case of bone symmetric involvement by an inflammatory process and in osteomyelitis of the flat bones and the vertebral column the potentialities of the method are limited.