DECISIVE DIAGNOSIS OF SERONEGATIVE POLYARTHRITIS BY 3-PHASE BONE-SCINTIGRAPHY

Inflammatory joint disease is mainly diagnosed on grounds oi clinical investigation, laboratory testing (acute phase reactants), and radiogr aphy. Radionuclide imaging has recently been added to the armamentariu m of clinician. This case report points out the role of three-phase bo ne scan and HIG (human immunoglobulin) scan in the discovery of the in flammatory nature of polyarthralgia in a young woman with equivocal cl inical and laboratory results, in the aim of diagnosing arthritis earl y in its course scintigraphy proved to be superior to conventional rad iography. it also allows more discriminating selection of subsequent X -ray examination to limit radiation exposure.