OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in cases of suspected spondylodiscitis after inconclusive results in initial diagnostic imaging. PATIENTS, METHODS: We analysed 38 consecutive cases of suspected spondylodiscitis (mean age: 67 ± 14 years) with chronic back pain referred to our Department during a four-year-period after inconclusive results in MRI or other conventional modalities. Clinical histories were retrospectively worked up and results of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI were analysed and related to the results of biopsy, blood culture and a one-year clinical follow-up. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was analysed qualitatively by visual analysis and quantitatively. We measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) in the region of back pain and in a corresponding reference region (RR) in each patient and calculated a SUV(max-ratio). RESULTS: 22/38 patients had confirmed spondylodiscitis, while 16 were negative. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT established a correct diagnosis in 34 out of 38 patients by visual analysis. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT reached a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 81.8%, 100%, 89.5% and a PPV and NPV of 100% and 80%. MRI, performed in 27 patients reached a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 75%, 71.4%, 74.1% and a PPV and NPV of 88.2% and 50%. Patients with confirmed spondylodiscitis showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher SUV(max) of 5.1 ± 1.9 and SUV(max)-ratio of 1.9 ± 0.8 than patients without it (SUV(max) (3.8 ± 1.5), SUV(max-ratio) (1.2 ± 0.3). CONCLUSION: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT provided diagnostic information in most patients with chronic back pain and suspected spondylodiscitis. It was helpful in establishing a correct diagnosis in challenging cases of spondylodiscitis with mostly unclear findings in previous MRI.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in cases of suspected spondylodiscitis after inconclusive results in initial diagnostic imaging. PATIENTS, METHODS: We analysed 38 consecutive cases of suspected spondylodiscitis (mean age: 67 ± 14 years) with chronic back pain referred to our Department during a four-year-period after inconclusive results in MRI or other conventional modalities. Clinical histories were retrospectively worked up and results of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI were analysed and related to the results of biopsy, blood culture and a one-year clinical follow-up. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was analysed qualitatively by visual analysis and quantitatively. We measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) in the region of back pain and in a corresponding reference region (RR) in each patient and calculated a SUV(max-ratio). RESULTS: 22/38 patients had confirmed spondylodiscitis, while 16 were negative. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT established a correct diagnosis in 34 out of 38 patients by visual analysis. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT reached a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 81.8%, 100%, 89.5% and a PPV and NPV of 100% and 80%. MRI, performed in 27 patients reached a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 75%, 71.4%, 74.1% and a PPV and NPV of 88.2% and 50%. Patients with confirmed spondylodiscitis showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher SUV(max) of 5.1 ± 1.9 and SUV(max)-ratio of 1.9 ± 0.8 than patients without it (SUV(max) (3.8 ± 1.5), SUV(max-ratio) (1.2 ± 0.3). CONCLUSION: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT provided diagnostic information in most patients with chronic back pain and suspected spondylodiscitis. It was helpful in establishing a correct diagnosis in challenging cases of spondylodiscitis with mostly unclear findings in previous MRI.
Authors: Giorgio Treglia; Mariarosa Pascale; Elena Lazzeri; Wouter van der Bruggen; Roberto C Delgado Bolton; Andor W J M Glaudemans Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2019-11-15 Impact factor: 9.236
Authors: Elena Lazzeri; Alessandro Bozzao; Maria Adriana Cataldo; Nicola Petrosillo; Luigi Manfrè; Andrej Trampuz; Alberto Signore; Mario Muto Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2019-08-09 Impact factor: 9.236
Authors: Abhijit J Chaudhari; William Y Raynor; Ali Gholamrezanezhad; Thomas J Werner; Chamith S Rajapakse; Abass Alavi Journal: PET Clin Date: 2021-01
Authors: Ilse J E Kouijzer; Henk Scheper; Jacky W J de Rooy; Johan L Bloem; Marcel J R Janssen; Leon van den Hoven; Allard J F Hosman; Leo G Visser; Wim J G Oyen; Chantal P Bleeker-Rovers; Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2017-12-19 Impact factor: 9.236