The Utility of Bone Scintigraphy with SPECT/CT in the Evaluation and Management of Frostbite Injuries

Overview

Journal Br J Radiol

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Radiology

Date 2018 Oct 26

PMID 30359097

Citations 4

Authors

Matthew S Manganaro

John D Millet

Richard Kj Brown

Benjamin L Viglianti

Daniel J Wale

Ka Kit Wong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective:: Frostbite is a localized cold-thermal injury resulting from prolonged exposure of flesh to freezing and near freezing temperatures. The depth and extent of frostbite injuries are not easily assessed, from a clinical standpoint, at the time of injury making it challenging to plan appropriate management and treatment.

Methods:: A review of the literature of management of cold-related injuries and retrospective case review of the imaging and clinical course of frostbite injury.

Results:: Bone scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT was performed in the acute and subacute course of frostbite injuries, subsequently leading to earlier definitive management and shorter hospital stay.

Conclusion:: Multiphase technetium-99m-methylenediphosphonate (mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphy with SPECT/CT can expedite clinical management of frostbite injuries by determining the extent of injury and can accurately predict the level of amputation if needed.

Advances In Knowledge:: SPECT/CT is underutilized at many facilities but can have a profound and immediate impact on clinical management of patients with frostbite when used in combination with physiological bone scan imaging.

Citing Articles

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Bone scintigraphy outperformed anatomic images in frostbite injuries: a case report.

Ronchi B, Pena G, Carla A Eur J Hybrid Imaging. 2022; 6(1):25.

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Practical Review of the Current Management of Frostbite Injuries.

Zaramo T, Green J, Janis J Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022; 10(10):e4618.

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A Longitudinal Study of T2 Mapping Combined With Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Quantitatively Evaluate Tissue Repair of Rat Skeletal Muscle After Frostbite.

Gao Y, Lu Z, Lyu X, Liu Q, Pan S Front Physiol. 2021; 11:597638.

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Protocoled thrombolytic therapy for frostbite improves phalangeal salvage rates.

Paine R, Turner E, Kloda D, Falank C, Chung B, Carter D Burns Trauma. 2020; 8:tkaa008.

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