THE ROLE OF TC-99M PHOSPHATE COMPLEXES AND GA-67 IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF MAXILLOFACIAL DISEASE - CONCISE COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Osteomyelitis of maxillofacial bones is difficult to differentiate from the results of trauma or malignancy, yet successful management is dependent upon early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. To determine if 67Ga could differentiate infection from trauma or malignancy, 61 99mTc phosphate scans and 52 67Ga scans were made in 42 patients with maxillofacial disease. In all patients, definitive diagnosis was determined by surgery and/or clinical follow-up. Bone scans were positive in 37 patients. 67Ga scans were positive in 16 patients. Subsequent surgery and/or clinical follow-up demonstrated active osteomyelitis in 15 patients. The addition of 67Ga scanning to the bone scans in evaluation of maxillofacial disease evidently contributes significantly to differentiating trauma from osteomyelitis. Radiographic changes apparently do not accurately reflect bone activity or differentiate osteomyelitis from trauma or malignancy. Reduction in accumulation of 67Ga in follow-up scans is evidently a useful indicator for the termination of therapy in osteomyelitis.