External Counting of85Sr and47Ca in Localized Bone Infections

In 1959 Bauer & Wendeberg reported external counting over various localized bone lesions after administration of bone-seeking y-emitting isotopes.Since that time several reports have been published dealing with isotope studies of skeletal metabolic response to fracture ( W e n d eberg 1961), tumour (Gynning et d .1961, Corey ef al. 1962,1963, W e n d eberg & Y a m a m u r o 1965), coxarthrosis (Danielsson, Dymling & Heripret 1964) and infectious disease of the spine (Lindberg & Fellunder 1965).This is a report on external counting of Wr and "7Ca over localized bone infections in the extremities. M E T H O D SCarrier-free 47Ca (half-life 4.9 days) or W r (half-life 65 days) were used.The isotope was given as a single, rapid, intravenous injection.External counting was performed usually 168 and 336 hours after injection over the diseased part of the skeleton, over the contralateral side and over thc knees and thighs (Bauer & Wendeberg 1959).A 12" wide angle collimator placed in contact with the skin over the area to be counted was routinely used.When the opening of this collimator was considered to be too large, a cylindric collimator with an opening of 24 mm was used.This was especially the case in children.For specific purposes a 10 mm slot collimator was used.