ASSESSING THE LIMPING CHILD WITH SKELETAL SCINTIGRAPHY

Skeletal scintigraphy is frequently used in the clinical investigation of young children who present with limping as their only or predomina nt symptom. This article reviews techniques used for pediatric skeleta l scintigraphy, skeletal tracer distribution in the immature skeleton and scintigraphic manifestations of relatively common conditions that can produce limping in children 1-6 yr old. Acute osteomyelitis, verte bral infections, transient synovitis, septic arthritis, Legg-Calve-Per thes disease, lower extremity injuries in toddlers and osteoid osteoma are emphasized.