Stress fractures of the femoral neck: a scintigraphic sign for early diagnosis

Abstract

Two patients with hip pain are presented; both patients were on steroid therapy. The diagnosis of a stress fracture was initially missed because the patients were not exceedingly active and the plain roentgenograms were essentially normal. The bone scan demonstrated a discretely localized area of increased radionuclide uptake in the femoral neck, which alerted us to the correct diagnosis. This scintigraphic sign is helpful in arriving at an early diagnosis and preventing prolonged disability.