Tc-99m MDP scintimetry of femoral head with osteonecrosis due to SLE as an aid for diagnosis of early stage

Quantitative scintigram (scintimetry) was performed in 54 SLE patients with corticosteroid therapy. SLE patients were 54 women and the average age was 35.0 years. Three hours after injection of Tc-99m MDP, uptakes of each 5.9 mm square was directly counted by the γ camera. Uptake index in the femoral head was evaluated by the ratio of the highest uptake count in the femoral head over the average uptake count in the intertrochanteric area. The average of uptake index in the femoral head of SLE group was significantly greater than that of control group. The uptake index in the femoral head was positively correlated with the amount of administration of corticosteroid per one day. The administration of over 50 mg corticosteroid in one day was considered to bring about one of the higher risk factors of femoral head osteonecrosis. (author)