[The value of technetium scintigraphy for early diagnosis and therapy of severe frostbite].

Frostbites often present with a discrepancy between skin lesions and damage to deeper structures. 14 patients with the diagnosis of severe frostbite and/or hypothermia had been treated between 1990 and 1993. In addition to our standard approach including history, physical exam, and Doppler/Laser-Doppler studies, we performed technecium 99 scintigraphies in seven patients at three to five days after injury. In six patients (86%), there was an excellent correlation between scintigraphic and intraoperative findings. We conclude that early diagnosis and treatment of avital tissue reduces length of hospital stay and allows for maximum amputation stump length preservation.