Back Pain in Children and Diagnostic Value of 99mTc

Aim: The aim of our study is to assess the diagnostic value of Technituim-99m-Methyle diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) Bone scintigraphy in the assessment of children with back pain. Methods: Included in this retrospective study were 68 child referred to us complaining of back pain (mean age of 13+ 2). There were 45 boys and 23 girls. All children have been investigated with conventional x-ray which revealed normal or inconclusive result. All underwent bone scintigraphy after the injection of 99mTc-MDP with calculated doses according to there body weights. Results: Bone scintigraphy revealed 17 (25%) abnormal scans in 11 boys and 6 girls. Scans findings were suggestive of spondylolysis (n=4); malignancy including primary tumors and metastases (n=3); infection including osteomyelitis and discitis (n=3); sacroiliitis (n=2); benign tumors (n=2); pseudo fractures in ribs (n=1); necrosis in femoral head epiphysis(n=1) and nonskeletal- renal retention due to hydronephrosis (n=1). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bone scan in detecting gross skeletal abnormality as a cause for back pain were 94% and 100% and 99% respectively. Conclusion: Bone isotope scan is a sensitive imaging modality in the assessment of pediatric patients with back pain. It is a reliable modality to detect and role out most benign and aggressive serious etiologies.