Positron emission tomography in spinal infections.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging method of choice for diagnosing infection of the spine in unoperated cases. 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography study is recommended to distinguish between spinal infection and common Modic change in patients with metallic implants and prosthetic replacements and for differentiating tuberculous from pyogenic spondylitis in ambiguous cases, reflecting the activity of the infection. Also, it seems to have a strong clinical impact in more than half of patients with infectious spondylitis, while it is superior to other imaging techniques in revealing residual disease after treatment and early response to therapy. New tracers as well as new hybrid modalities are under investigation.

• Authors: Alexandros Georgakopoulos, Spiros G Pneumaticos, Nikolaos V Sipsas, Sofia Chatziioannou
• Journal: Clinical imaging (Clin Imaging) 2015 Jul-Aug Vol. 39 Issue 4 Pg. 553-8 ISSN: 1873-4499 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25914050 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

Topics

• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
• Humans
• Infections (diagnostic imaging)
• Positron-Emission Tomography (methods)
• Spinal Diseases (diagnostic imaging)
• Spine (diagnostic imaging)
• Spondylitis (diagnostic imaging)