Preoperative 99mTc-MDP scintimetry was compared with histomorphometry of the extrated femoral heads from 12 cases of femoral neck fracture and 11 cases of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head., Histomorphometrical parameters such as percentage of cancellous bone area, percentage of osteoid surface and percentage of resorption surface were measured using decalcified osteoid stained sections of the femoral heads.
Radionuclide uptake values correlated well with those of the percentage of osteoid surface.
These results suggest that 99mTc-MDP uptake indicates the degree of osteoid formation.
