Erosive osteochondrosis is not spondylitis

Technetium-99m-DPD and gallium bone scanning were concomitantly performed in patients suffering from either infectious spondylitis or erosive spondylopathy. This comparative study in 5 patients with spinal infections and in 7 patients with lumbar erosive intervertebral osteochondrosis shows a distinct enhancement of the isotopes used such that differentiation between infections and aggressive degeneration is possible. Combined scintigraphy may be a helpful diagnostic tool in such cases.