Scintigraphic findings in stress fractures

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1977 Oct;59(7):869-74.

Abstract

Forty-two patients suspected of having stress fractures were evaluated by serial roentgenograms and by one total-body scan with detailed views of suspicious areas. Stress fracture was the ultimate clinical diagnosis in twenty-one patients, and in fifteen of them the roentgenograms were normal while the scintigram was positive. The false negative rate for the roentgenograms was 71 per cent. In eleven of the fifteen patients, the roentgenograms eventually became positive. There were five positive scintigrams from causes other than stress fracture, giving a false positive rate for scintigraphy of 24 per cent. The bones with stress fractures included the metatarsals, calcaneus, tibia, femur, and fibula.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcaneus / injuries*
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fibula / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Leg Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Metatarsus / injuries*
  • Military Medicine*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Texas
  • Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging*