RESUMO
Advances in orthopedic reconstructive and reparative techniques have resulted in a new population of patients suffering complications from these surgical procedures. Radionuclide examinations play an important role in the diagnosis of various types of complications following prosthesis implantation. Orthopedists can now choose from among several different radiopharmaceutic media: diphosphonates, gallium or labeled leukocyte. Diphosphonate radionuclide bone scintigraphy is quite sensitive in detecting changes in osseous metabolism. Gallium or leukocyte scans are best suited for the evaluation of inflammatory processes. Nuclear medicine techniques are generally accepted as complementary methods in the evaluation of complications after prosthesis implantation.
