Radionuclide imaging in patients with amputations of the lower leg: typical imaging patterns in five cases.

ABSTRACT

Amputation of the lower leg is not uncommon in elderly patients with chronic infections or vascular problems of the leg and foot, and most often it is performed below the knee or on the distal part of the lower leg (i.e., Syme's amputation). After operation, healing disorders with or without infection can occur, and usually structural imaging methods are performed for diagnosis. Radionuclide imaging using a combination of bone scans and infection scintigraphy can help to identify bone and soft tissue infection. Interpreting radionuclide scans is difficult, because imaging findings after amputation may depend not only on the level of resection and the disease investigated but also on the time that has elapsed since surgery. Typical imaging patterns of bone or infection scintigraphy of five patients are described