RADIOLEUCOSCINTIGRAPHY IN OSTEOARTHRITIS - IS THERE AN INFLAMMATORY COMPONENT

The possible contribution of an inflammatory component in osteoarthritis was investigated. There was no correlation between the percentage uptakes of Tc-99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO)-labelled white blood cells and Tc-99m-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) and between the former and pain scores. A significant correlation was found between the percentage uptake of Tc-99m-MDP and pain scores (0.002 > P > 0.01). In osteoarthritis, Tc-99m-HMPAO-labelled white cell imaging may or may not show a positive localization in the synovial membrane. Positive white cell localization appears to be limited to the area that corresponds to the radiological evidence of the condition and the positive uptake of the skeletal imaging agent.