TY - JOUR
T1 - A comparison of the diagnostic value of MRI and 18F-FDG-PET/CT in suspected spondylodiscitis
AU - Smids, C.
AU - Kouijzer, Ilse Johanna Elsa
AU - Vos, F.J.
AU - Sprong, T.A.
AU - Hosman, A.J.F.
AU - de Rooy, J.W.
AU - Aarntzen, E.H.J.G.
AU - de Geus-Oei, Lioe-Fee
AU - Oyen, W.J.G.
AU - Bleeker-Rovers, Chantal P.
N1 - Open access.
PY - 2017/6/17
Y1 - 2017/6/17
N2 - Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-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 18F-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. 18F-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, 18F-FDG-PET/CT has superior diagnostic value for detecting early spondylodiscitis. After 2 weeks both techniques perform similarly.
AB - Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of 18F-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 18F-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. 18F-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, 18F-FDG-PET/CT has superior diagnostic value for detecting early spondylodiscitis. After 2 weeks both techniques perform similarly.
KW - IR-101109
KW - METIS-317737
U2 - 10.1007/s15010-016-0914-y
DO - 10.1007/s15010-016-0914-y
M3 - Article
SN - 0300-8126
VL - 45
SP - 41
EP - 49
JO - Infection
JF - Infection
IS - 1
ER -