The clinical use and mechanisms of action of technetium 99m pyrophosphate, gallium 67 citrate, and indium 111 oxine have been presented. The diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the lower extremity can often be made on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and conventional radiographic evaluations. In the case report of diabetic osteolysis, initial evaluations revealed osteomyelitis. The use of scanning involving leukocytes labeled with technetium and indium 111 oxine lessened the possibilities of an osseous infection. Studies show the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of scans using leukocytes labeled with indium 111 oxine to be superior to those of any other form of nucleotide imaging, but further clinical research is needed.