[Identification of metastases in the infant skeleton--comparison of methods of roentgenology and scintigraphy (author's transl)].

Conventional x-ray examination and a whole body scintigram were performed within four weeks in 40 children with tumours. The findings obtained by both methods were subjected to a comparative analysis. Pathological findings were revealed in eleven children; in eight of these, the findings were partly confirmed as metastases. Of 39 metastases confirmed by x-ray film, 16 were found to be negative according to scintigraphy. On the other hand, 34 of a total of 60 scintigraphically pathological findings could not be confirmed by x-ray examination six months later. The falsely negative scintigraphic findings were mainly localised in the region of the ribs, the pelvis and the long bones near the epiphysis. Our own case material demonstrated these findings.