Comparison of diagnostic efficacy between 99mTc-methylene diphosphate SPECT/CT and MRI for bone and joint infections: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Abstract

Objective:

There is currently no non-invasive examination that can fully determine the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. SPECT/CT tomographic fusion imaging can provide both local metabolic activity and anatomical information to determine the condition and location. This study evaluates the diagnostic efficacy of 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT in bone infections, compared to MRI.

Methods:

In this multicenter retrospective study, 363 patients with suspected bone and joint infections or osteomyelitis were included. Participants underwent 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT and/or MRI examinations, supplemented by pathogenic bacterial cultures and histopathological analysis.

Results:

Only SPECT/CT was tested in 169 patients, and only MRI was used in 116. 78 people have implemented both inspections and have detailed information. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT for infection were 96% and 92% respectively, with an accuracy of 96%. For MRI, these figures were 88%, 84%, and 87% respectively.

Conclusion:

This represents the largest global study to date evaluating osteomyelitis and bone infection diagnosis using 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT tomographic fusion imaging. The findings indicate that 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT fusion imaging offers superior diagnostic accuracy compared to MRI. This is particularly evident in cases involving metallic implants and chronic infections. 99mTc-MDP SPECT/CT fusion imaging emerges as a highly suitable non-invasive diagnostic modality, facilitating enhanced clinical follow-up and treatment.

• Authors: Hao Gao, Guoquan Li, Congxiao Fu, Jun Ren, Fei Kang, Wen Luo, Qian Yin, Cheng Zhou, Bo Li, Shuaikun Lu, Hu Wang, Yong Zhang, Yunfei Zhang
• Journal: Frontiers in endocrinology (Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)) Vol. 15 Pg. 1359655 ( 2024) ISSN: 1664-2392 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 38487344 (Publication Type: Multicenter Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2024 Gao, Li, Fu, Ren, Kang, Luo, Yin, Zhou, Li, Lu, Wang, Zhang and Zhang.

Chemical References

• Diphosphates
• Technetium Tc 99m Medronate

Topics

• Humans
• Retrospective Studies
• Diphosphates
• Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography (methods)
• Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Osteomyelitis (diagnostic imaging)