Abstract

Bone scintigraphy (BS) is frequently used in pediatric patients for the evaluation of benign bone pathologies. Key indications include the diagnosis of osteomyelitis, detection of sports injuries, suspicion of child abuse, and assessment of growth disorders such as mandibular asymmetry. The whole-body imaging capacity of BS provides significant contributions in osteomyelitis cases, particularly in detecting multifocal involvement or in situations where the clinical localization of a focus is challenging. It is helpful in diagnosing stress fractures when magnetic resonance imaging cannot be performed. In cases of suspected child abuse, BS plays a complementary role, particularly in detecting rib fractures. It is also crucial in evaluating active hyperplasia in the mandibular condyle, aiding in treatment planning. The integration of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) or SPECT/computerized tomography enhances localization and diagnostic accuracy. However, the relatively long duration of SPECT imaging can limit its applicability, especially in young children due to movement. This review examines the use of BS in diagnosing benign bone pathologies in pediatric patients, discusses its limitations, compares it with other imaging methods, and offers recommendations for clinical use.