Symptomatic and asymptomatic accessory navicular bones: Findings of Tc-99mMDP bone scintigraphy

AIM: The accuracy of bone scintigraphy in diagnosing symptomatic accessory navicular bones has not been well studied. We conducted a retrospective stu dy to explore the results and use of scintigraphy in symptomatic and asympt omatic accessory navicular bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with a total of 13 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic accessory navicular bones were included in the study. We u sed a scoring system to grade the scintigraphic abnormalities. The patients ' symptoms and scintigraphic findings were recorded. RESULTS: Though focally increased radiopharmaceutical uptake was observed i n all symptomatic accessory naviculars, half of the asymptomatic accessory navicular bones had the same manifestations. The scoring system was of no v alue in differentiating symptomatic from asymptomatic accessory navicular b ones. CONCLUSION: Bone scintigraphy is a sensitive but not a specific tool for di agnosing a symptomatic accessory navicular. Chiu, N.-T. et al. (2000). Clin ical Radiology 55, 353-355. (C) 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.