Evaluation of growth in children using quantitative bone scintigraphy

Our aim was to assess the value of quantitative bone scintigraphy for evalu ating long-bone growth and to establish the normal uptake patterns of the g rowth plate in children. Subjects (180 girls, 154 boys) of normal weight an d height, aged 2 - 20 years, were investigated using skeletal scintigraphy. Regions of interest were outlined over posterior images of the distal femo ral growth plate and femoral diaphysis. The average number of counts per fi xel in each region of interest was determined. The ratio of uptake in the d istal femoral growth plate to that in the femoral diaphysis (GP : D ratio)w as calculated for all subjects, and its relationship with age was determine d, Peak GP : D ratios in girls and boys were reached at ages 11 and 13 year s, respectively (8.26 in girls and 8.18 in boys), corresponding to the peri ods of most rapid growth. Our findings suggest that determining the scintig raphic GP : D ratio may be useful for evaluating growth and development in children if normal standard GP : D ratios are established.