DECREASED UPTAKE OF A BONE SEEKING RADIOP HARMACEUTICAL AT THE FOOT AFTER PROLONGED ELIMINATION OF WEIGHT-BEARING - 2 CASE-REPORTS

Two patients were evaluated for decreased temperature and mild erythro cyanosis of the foot after prolonged elimination of weight-bearing on the same side because of a lesion at the tibia or knee. Both patients had been using forearm crutches to walk. A radionuclide bone scan show ed decreased uptake at the early vascular phase and decreased bone upt ake at the foot and tibial shaft with bone-soft tissue equalization on the non-weight-bearing side. All abnormalities resolved within two we eks of resumption of weight-bearing. The main differential diagnosis o f this condition is reflex sympathetic dystrophy.