CASE-REPORT - COMPLETE PHOTOPENIA OF THE FEMORAL-HEAD ON RADIONUCLIDEBONE SCANNING IN SEPTIC ARTHRITIS OF THE HIP

Three cases of septic arthritis of the hip are presented. In each case , radionuclide bone scanning, using Tc-99(m) diphosphonate (MDP), demo nstrated complete photopenia of the femoral head. All three cases resu lted in avascular necrosis and subsequently had a poor clinical outcom e with a reduced range of movement and radiographic epiphyseal deformi ty. Complete photopenia in the presence of suspected sepsis requires u rgent referral with a view to exploration and decompression.