The evaluation of soft tissue vascularization allows to highlight inflammatory pictures in the active phase (arthritis), while the study of bone metabolism characterizes joint damage (arthrosis).
The same method makes it possible to assess the degree of consolidation of prosthetic implants by demonstrating, at an early stage, loosening of the prosthesis. Scintigraphy with labeled leukocytes is subsequently used in cases of clinical suspicion of over-infection.
Orthopedic and rheumatologic diagnostics
Multiphasic bone scintigraphy is a reliable tool for the study of osteo-articular pathology.
Examinations and diagnosis
Triphasic Bone Scintigraphy/SPECT-CT
Principal indications
Disorders in osteo-rheumatology. Localization of septic and inflammatory processes. Evaluation in suspected loosening of prosthetic implants.
Examination procedure.
No preparation required. Intravenous injection of the radiopharmaceutical. The first two stages of the investigation are performed imediately after administration of the radiopharmaceutical. The investigation is completed by an additional diagnostic session after 2-4 hours. Good hydration is recommended in the meantime.
Duration of the examination
Approximately 30 minutes for early phase and 45 minutes for late phase.
Medullary Scintigraphy/SPECT-CT
Principal indications.
In orthopedics, differential diagnosis between spinal cord hyperplasia/dislocation (secondary to surgical procedures) and a suspected septic localization.
Examination procedure.
Specific preparation and fasting not required. Intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical. The investigation involves an early acquisition (10 minutes after injection) and a late acquisition at 1 hour.
Duration of the examination.
Approximately 90 minutes in total.
Scintigraphy/SPECT-CT with labeled leukocytes
Principal indications
Localization and characterization of infectious processes.
Examination procedure.
Specific preparation and fasting not required. Intravenous administration of the tracer (monoclonal antibody) that selectively localizes to a specific subset of white blood cells (granulocytes). Performance of the examination involves two diagnostic sessions for image acquisition 6 and 24 hours after intravenous injection.
Duration of the examination.
Approximately 1 hour for both sessions.
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The original version is the page in Italian.
