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The Role of Tc-99m Phosphate Complexes and Gallium-67 in the Diagnosis and Management of Maxillofacial Disease: Concise Communication

Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Correspondence: For reprints contact: Rex B. Shafer, MD, Nuclear Medicine Service (115), V. A. Medical Center, 54th St. & 48th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55417.

ABSTRACT

Osteomyelitis of maxillofacial bones is difficult to differentiate from the results of trauma or malignancy, yet successful management is dependent upon early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. To determine if gallium-67 could differentiate infection from trauma or malignancy, 61 Tc-99m phosphate scans and 52 gallium-67 scans were made in 42 patients with maxillofacial disease. In all patients, definitive diagnosis was determined by surgery and/or clinical followup. Bone scans were positive in 37 patients. Gallium-67 scans were positive in 16 patients. Subsequent surgery and/or clinical followup demonstrated active osteomyelitis in 15 patients. From the data we conclude that: (a) the addition of Ga-67 scanning to the bone scans in evaluation of maxillofacial disease contributes significantly to differentiating trauma from osteomyelitis; (b) radiographic changes do not accurately reflect bone activity or differentiate osteomyelitis from trauma or malignancy; and (c) reduction in accumulation of gallium-67 in followup scans is a useful indicator for the termination of therapy in osteomyelitis.