[Bone scintigraphy in assessment of risk of complications after medial femoral neck fractures].

The value of visually evaluated bone scintigraphy in predicting postoperative non-union and avascular necrosis was examined in a prospective, consecutive series of patients with intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. 49 patients had scintigraphy carried out preoperatively, and 37 postoperatively. In 18 scintigraphy was done preoperatively as well as postoperatively. The patients were followed clinically and radiographically for at least two years after operation. In the preoperative group 19 patients had been excluded at follow up and 13 patients in the postoperative group. The results indicate a high correlation between a reduced uptake of isotope in preoperative scintigraphy and development of late complications in these patients. It is concluded that visually evaluated preoperative planar scintigraphy is of value in selecting those patients with intracapsular femoral neck fractures, who are at risk of developing late complications.