Electrical contact burns of the scalp cause serious morbidity and mortality. Early necrotic bone debridement and flap cover are crucial for successful wound closure. 18F Sodium Fluoride (NaF), with high bone-to-soft tissue activity ratio, is useful for bone viability assessment. This study evaluated the role of 18F NaF PET-computed tomography (CT) in objectively defining the extent and depth of nonviable calvarial bone, to guide adequate bone debridement.

Of 20 patients referred to our institute with electrical contact burns of the scalp during a 2-year period, 15 were enrolled in the study. Two weeks after the initial management, tracer uptake pattern was noted on 18F NaF PET-CT of the head and exposed bone measured. Surgical bone debridement was based on scan findings, followed by wound closure. All patients underwent clinical evaluation and follow-up scan 3 months after surgery.

Eight patients showed a central photopenic area in the exposed bone (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax] of 0.76 ± 0.14 with mean maximum dimensions 4.10 ± 1.76/2.67 ± 1.54 cm). High tracer uptake (SUVmax, 9.66 ± 6.03) was seen peripheral to the exposed bone (mean maximum dimensions, 8.14 ± 3.03/4.75 ± 1.61 cm). Postoperatively, there was no significant change in tracer uptake in the central debrided region or peri-debridement bone area under the flap. Clinically all patients showed a well-healed flap.

18F NaF PET-CT appears useful for objective evaluation of skull bone viability and planning necrotic bone debridement in patients with electrical contact burns. However, additional studies with longer patient follow-up are required to validate these results.