SPECT scans not justified in growth of the mandibular condyle
Reviewed by Stuart Clark

This is a paper from Hong Kong of 200 patients between January 2011 and July 2013 who underwent SPECT bone scintigraphy for assessment of growth causing condylar hyperplasia and subsequent mandibular asymmetry. Thirty-four patients were found to have active growth with a mean age of 18.6. Females presented one year earlier than males with females slightly more common than males. The scans were found to have a low sensitivity (32-67%) and low specificity (36-78%). The practical effect of these would involve unnecessary overtreatment such as high condylectomy or growth reviews, or premature commencement of treatment such as orthognathic surgery. They conclude that in comparison to serial growth assessment using cephalometric radiographs and clinical photographs (and study models), it is not justifiable to use this tool for routine assessment of growth and patients with condylar hyperplasia.

SPECT bone scintigraphy for the assessment of condylar growth actively in mandibular asymmetry, is it accurate?
Chan BH, Leung YY.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
2018;47:470-9.