Intraoperative radioactive localization of small bone tumours.

A sodium-iodide scintillation probe and a portable scaler rate-metre were used to localize small bone tumours at operation, after the preoperative injection of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate. This technique allows complete removal of the tumour nidus of an osteoid osteoma or the active part of other lesions without undue sacrifice of the surrounding bone. The method has been used for successful relief of pain in thirteen patients.