Diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot with a 99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy combined with a 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy

Diabetes Metab. 2002 Dec;28(6 Pt 1):485-90.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the role of 99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy combined with a 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis of the diabetic foot infection (HMPAO-Leu/MDP).

Methods: 75 diabetic patients with suspected osteomyelitis were included. The HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan was considered to be consistent with osteomyelitis when the HMPAO-Leu uptake was concordant in all the incidences with an MDP bone uptake. A HMPAO-Leu uptake without concordant bone MDP activity was considered as a soft-tissue infection. The results of the HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan were compared to the following diagnostic criteria: bone infection was confirmed by radiological follow-up or bone biopsy; the absence of bone infection was confirmed by clinical (healing of the ulcer without antibiotherapy) and radiological follow up.

Results: According to these criteria, among the 83 ulcers, bone infection was observed in 41 (49.4%): the HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan was positive in 38 cases, including 14 ulcers with normal or doubtful radiographs at inclusion. In the group of 42 ulcers without proven bone infection, the HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan was negative in 41 cases, including 17 lesions with a soft-tissue infection.

Conclusion: With a sensitivity of 92.6%, a specificity of 97.6%, the HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan is a reliable tool for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot. Neuroarthropathy did not affect the performances of the HMPAO-Leu/MDP scan. Owing to a high spatial resolution this test is very helpful to differentiate bone infection from soft-tissue infection especially in case of neuroarthropathy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diabetic Foot / complications*
  • Diabetic Foot / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteomyelitis / etiology*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime*
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate