SPECT-CT with 67Ga-citrate in the management of spondylodiscitis.

Authors :: Domínguez ML
Lorente R
Rayo JI
Serrano J
Sánchez R
Infante JR
García L
Durán C
Source :: Revista espanola de medicina nuclear e imagen molecular [Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol] 2012 Jan-Feb; Vol. 31 (1), pp. 34-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Jun 11.
Publication Year :: 2012
Abstract: Spondylodiscitis affects a small proportion of all patients with locomotor system infections, however its early diagnosis is important due to its potential morbidity. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic method of choice. Nonetheless, it has certain limitations and is not suitable for all patients. The conventional scintigraphic studies for evaluating spondylodiscitis are those performed with (99m)Tc-HDP and (67)Ga-citrate. However, their poor image resolution is a disadvantage of these techniques. The use of hybrid Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT) improves detection of the disease by combining functional and anatomical images. We present 9 patients with suspicion of spondylodiscitis who underwent sequential bone scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-HDP and SPECT-CT with (67)Ga-citrate, with positive findings confirmed by clinical monitoring for at least 6 months.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.)