Evaluation of delayed-image bone scintigraphy to assess bone formation after distraction osteogenesis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess distraction-induced bone formation in a crural lengthening model in dogs by use of delayed-image bone scintigraphy. ANIMALS: 12 mature Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. A circular external skeletal fixation system was mounted on the right crus of each dog. Osteotomy of the distal portion of the tibia and fibula was performed in groups 1 and 2 and was followed by a lengthening procedure of 10 mm in the first group only. The third group served as sham-operated controls. Delayed-image bone scintigraphy with technetium-99m hydroxy methylene diphosphonate was performed 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. Delayed-image-to-region-of-interest, delayed-image-to-crural, and delayed-image-to-femoral scintigraphic activity ratios were calculated. New bone formation was quantified by use of densitometric image analysis, and values for the scintigraphic ratios were compared. RESULTS: In the distraction and osteotomy groups, delayed-image-to-region-of-interest and delayed-image-to-crural ratios increased significantly. Although densitometric image analysis revealed increased bone formation after distraction, the region-of-interest ratios and crural ratios were similar in both groups. All dogs had increased delayed-image-to-femoral ratios. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Delayed-image bone scintigraphy ratios were not effective at differentiating between the amounts of distraction-induced bone and osteotomy-induced bone. Metabolic bone activity in the adjacent femur was increased as a consequence of circular external skeletal fixator placement. Delayed-image bone scintigraphy was not adequately sensitive to quantitatively monitor bone formation but may be useful as an early predictor of bone healing.