The role of scintigraphy in the diagnosis of late complications of total prosthesis of the hip. (Infection, loosening, ossification).

Late bony infection is the most important post operative complication of total prosthesis. It is an insidiuos and often silent process, and early diagnosis is the most effective weapon for controlling it. Scintigraphy with osteotropic isotopes is a valuable diagnostic aid. It can give information even before the appearance of any radiographic changes, and can establish which component is affected in a total prosthetic replacement. It is also of help in the differential diagnosis between infection and loosening. Finally, it is a useful criterion in evaluating the progression of ectopic ossification.