Clinical spectrum of asymptomatic femoral neck abnormal uptake on bone scintigraphy.

UNLABELLED

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical spectrum of asymptomatic abnormal focal uptake of (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) in the femoral neck.

METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients with asymptomatic abnormal focal uptake of (99m)Tc-MDP in the femoral neck were evaluated. Two patients had bilateral abnormal focal uptake. The patient's history, clinical findings, and plain hip radiograph were obtained in all cases. Scintigraphic, radiographic and clinical findings were correlated.

RESULTS

Eight of 17 (47%) femoral necks showed a definite herniation pit on radiography, 6 patients (35%) had normal radiographic findings, 1 patient had a bone island, 1 patient had a bone island and a herniation pit, and 1 patient had a subtle lesion suggestive of a herniation pit on radiography. All patients remained asymptomatic for at least a 10-mo follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

A herniation pit is the most common finding among asymptomatic abnormal femoral neck focal uptake. This condition should be distinguished from a wide variety of disorders associated with increased focal abnormal uptake of (99m)Tc-MDP in the femoral neck.