India
A 28-year-old male asked:
How specific is ct scan to confirm avn in a bone in compare to mri and bone scan? ?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Accursoanswered
Radiology 31 years experience
MRI is best for...: New onset/recent avn. Bone scan is next, especially with a technique called spect/ct, and ct is third. Once avn is being repaired by the body, it can be seen on ct as new bone formation.
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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Larry Wilfanswered
36 years experience
CT is good but: Diagnosis on ct takes specific anatomical changes which can be identified at earlier stages by bone scan and mri. Mri is probably best as you can see marrow changes ( edema, etc. ) and bone changes ( fracture/destruction, if present , at the same time).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gerald Mandellanswered
Nuclear Medicine 54 years experience
MRI or bone scan: It may depend on particular early avascular necrosis in hip is best detected by either MRI or bone scan by showing the decreased blood supply. It is quite specific in majority of cases. Ct can detect later changes of avn such as sclerosis of dead bone or fracture of femoral epiphysis. Avn in small bones of hands and feet may be easier detected by mr examination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Ginsburganswered
Interventional Radiology 14 years experience
Good question: You really want to detect avn in early stage to enable early intervention and avoid prosthetic hip replacement! more important question is how sensitive imaging modality in detecting early avn. Mri reported sensitivity of 97% & specificity of 98% in the diagnosis of avn of the hip. This is more sensitive & specific than ct or bone scan. Ct is not specific unless asterisk sign is appreciated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Ginsburg commented
Interventional Radiology 14 years experience
Provided original answer
Given known talar AVN - CT is required to assess articular surface of talar dome to rule out subtle depression, collapse & fragmentation.
Jul 16, 2013
Last updated Jan 5, 2019
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