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Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Spinal Infection

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Imaging of Spinal Infection

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

Spinal infection can be challenging to diagnose accurately, as symptoms can be insidious and nonspecific. Advanced radiological imaging procedures can be very useful to aid diagnosis. Nuclear medicine imaging can provide significant information, in addition to more conventional imaging techniques such as radiography and MRI. Nuclear medicine imaging (SPECT and PET) have shown high sensitivity and accuracy with regard to spinal infection diagnosis, especially when used in combination with conventional radiological investigations such as CT and MRI. By providing additional functional information, nuclear medicine imaging helps to identify possible sites for biopsy, monitor treatment responses, and guide the duration of antimicrobial treatment. Expert consensus guidelines have been published, addressing the use and implementation of nuclear medicine imaging techniques in spinal infection.

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Abbreviations

[18F] FDG:

Fluorine-18 2′-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose

67Ga:

Gallium-67

99mTc:

Technetium-99m

CT:

Computed tomography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PET:

Positron emission tomography

SPECT:

Single photon emission computed tomography

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Anbalagan Kannivelu

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Aaron K. T. Tong, Kelvin S. H. Loke & David C. E. Ng

Authors
  1. Anbalagan Kannivelu
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  2. Aaron K. T. Tong
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  3. Kelvin S. H. Loke
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  4. David C. E. Ng
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anbalagan Kannivelu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mohamed Kassab Orthopedic Institute, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed Fethi Ladeb

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Wilfred C.G. Peh

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Kannivelu, A., Tong, A.K.T., Loke, K.S.H., Ng, D.C.E. (2021). Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Spinal Infection. In: Ladeb, M.F., Peh, W.C. (eds) Imaging of Spinal Infection. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70459-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70459-9_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-70458-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-70459-9

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