Abstract
Goal Is Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with [18F] fluordesoxyglucose (FDG) a suitable procedure in diagnostic of osteitis?
Method In a prospective clinical study from 02/2000 until 05/2004 we observed 120 patients with osteitis. The average age was 46 years, the relationship between female and male 1: 3 (31 female, 89 male). The PET was performed under the question of a posttraumatic osteitis. In cases of operative revision procedures bacteriological examinations were carried out
Results In 73 cases (61%) the PET showed positive findings. Surgical revision was carried out in 57 of these 73 patients (78%). The bacteriological findings in this cases were positive in 59% (n=34). Most of the proved germs were St. aureus in 53%, followed by St. epidermidis in 17%.
In the group of patients with negative findings in the PET (n=47) in 17 cases (36%) an operative procedure was carried out. The bacteriological findings were negative in 12 cases (70%). St. epidermidis was found in 4 cases with positive bacteriological findings.
Conclusion In our opinion the PET seems to be a valuable complement in the spectrum of diagnostically possibilities in connection with osteitis. Despite the low level of specifity in this study one of the great advantages is the visualization of the hot spot in a third plane. So the planning and carrying out of the surgical revision procedure can be improved. To increase the specifity of the PET in connection with the treatment of osteitis further research is required.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
