Radionuclide imaging in patients with amputations of the lower-leg - Typical imaging patterns in five cases

Amputation of the lower leg is not uncommon in elderly patients with chroni c infections or vascular problems of the leg and foot, and most often it is performed below the knee or on the distal part of the lower leg (i.e., Sym e's amputation), After operation, healing disorders with or without infecti on can occur, and usually structural imaging methods are performed for diag nosis. Radionuclide imaging using a combination of bone scans and infection scintigraphy can help to identify bone and soft tissue infection. Interpre ting radionuclide scans is difficult, because imaging findings after amputa tion may depend not only on the level of resection and the disease investig ated but also on the time that has elapsed since surgery, Typical imaging p atterns of bone or infection scintigraphy of five patients are described.