Uptake of Radioactive Strontium (SR-85) in an Inflamed Mastoid Process

Abstract

The activity of inflammation of the mastoid process was measured in 23 patients on the principle that radioactive strontium is metabolised in the same way as calcium in inflammatory processes in the bones. The control material comprised 16 persons with no inflammatory ear disease. The gamma radiation emitted by Sr-85 in each mastoid process was measured separately by external counting. The results for the diseased and healthy mastoid processes were compared. The difference between the patients with mastoiditis and the controls was statistically significant. The Sr-85 uptake was greatest in the patients with an active inflanimation in the mastoid air cell system. The uptake was weaker in the cases with a small sclerotic mastoid process or sequelae of inflammation. Isotope study is a new method of studying the mineral metabolism of the mastoid process, but the procedure should be refined before it can be applied in clinical use.