Clinical StudyDiagnostic value of F-18 FDG PET/CT in patients with spondylodiscitis: Is dual time point imaging time worthy?

- F-18 FDG-PET/CT imaging is a valuable method for the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis.
- It is shown that in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, dual time point imaging protocol of F-18 FDG-PET/CT has no supplementary role.
- SUVmax data for differentiation between tuberculous and non-tuberculous spondylodiscitis seems to be valueless.

PurposeIn this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the value of FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis (SD), the significance of dual time point imaging (DTPI) for SD diagnosis and the worth of SUVmax data for distinguishing tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous SD.Materials and methods32 patients with suspected SD were scanned with FDG-PET/CT. For quantitative analysis maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the lesion area was measured. Nineteen patients had DTPI of FDG-PET/CT. The final diagnoses were achieved by histopathological, microbiological, and clinical results.ResultsSpecific pathogens were isolated in 21 patients; other patients were accepted as nonspecific bacterial SD. In all patients, FDG-PET/CT results were compatible with SD diagnosis. The SUVmax data for tuberculous and non-tuberculous SD and DTPI results were statistically insignificant.ConclusionFDG-PET/CT is a successful modality for SD diagnosis; additionally, DTPI protocol for FDG-PET/CT in SD diagnosis and SUVmax data for differentiation between non-tbc SD and tbc SD are useless.