A comparison of the diagnostic value of MRI and 18 F-FDG-PET/CT in suspected spondylodiscitis.

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Authors

Smids, C
Kouijzer, IJE
Vos, FJ
Sprong, T
Hosman, AJF
de Rooy, JWJ
Aarntzen, EHJG
de Geus-Oei, L-F
Oyen, WJG
Bleeker-Rovers, CP

Document Type

Journal Article

Date

2017-02

Date Accepted

2016-06-03

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing spondylodiscitis and its complications, such as epidural and paraspinal abscesses.Methods From January 2006 to August 2013 patients with a clinical suspicion of spondylodiscitis, with an infection, or with fever of unknown origin were retrospectively included if 18 F-FDG-PET/CT and MRI of the spine were performed within a 2-week time span. Imaging results were compared to the final clinical diagnosis and follow-up data were collected.Results Sixty-eight patients were included of whom 49 patients were diagnosed with spondylodiscitis. MRI showed an overall sensitivity of 67 % and specificity of 84 %. Diagnostic accuracy was 58 %, when MRI was performed within 2 weeks after the start of symptoms and improved to 82 %, when performed more than 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. 18 F-FDG-PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 96 % and a specificity of 95 %, with no relation to the interval between the scan and the start of symptoms.Conclusions As compared to MRI, 18 F-FDG-PET/CT has superior diagnostic value for detecting early spondylodiscitis. After 2 weeks both techniques perform similarly.

Citation

Infection, 2017, 45 (1), pp. 41 - 49

Source Title

Publisher

ISSN

0300-8126

eISSN

1439-0973

Research Team

Translational Molecular Imaging

Notes