SCINTIGRAPHY OF LOWER-EXTREMITY CADAVERIC BONE ALLOGRAFTS IN OSTEOSARCOMA PATIENTS

Purpose: To describe scintigraphic characteristics of bone allografts used in limb salvage reconstruction after resection of lower extremity osteosarcoma. Materials and Methods: The authors reviewed 85 skeletal scintigrams of 20 pediatric patients followed up for 0.5-5.7 years af ter resection of lower extremity osteosarcoma and allograft reconstruc tion. Uptake in the allograft and adjacent host tissues was assessed v isually. Results: Lack of tracer uptake in the allografts was seen in 99% of the studies and a faint rim of tracer localization outlining th e allograft's periphery was seen in 95% of the studies. increased upta ke was noted at the allograft-host bane junction ire 78% of the studie s. Uptake was increased in the joint surfaces of native bones articula ting with allografts (91% of studies), including the patella (93% of s tudies) when the knee was involved. These findings were stabilized as time passed. Conclusion: Cadaveric bone allografts have a characterist ic scintigraphic appearance in this selected patient group that reflec ts the physiology of their incorporation process.