Scintigraphy of posterior tibial tendinitis

Our goal was to describe the typical scintigraphic pattern of posterior tibial tendinitis. Methods: Bone scintigraphs were reviewed to study the scintigraphic characteristics of posterior tibial tendinitis in nine patients with posterior tibial tendinitis related to generalized rheumatic disease and in eight patients with isolated posterior tibial tendinitis. Results: The scintigraphic pattern of posterior tibial tendinitis is elongated increased uptake in the blood flow and blood pool phase along the anatomical course of the tibialis posterior tendon at the medial aspect of the ankle (malleolus region). Static images demonstrate increased focal abnormal uptake at the medial malleolus and in the navicular bone. Conclusion: Bone scintigraphy depicts a characteristic pattern of posterior tibial tendinitis. It is useful for the early diagnosis of idiopathic- or rheumatic-related posterior tibial tendinitis.