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Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 8/2017

Open Access 01-08-2017 | Review Article

Accuracy of diagnostic imaging modalities for peripheral post-traumatic osteomyelitis – a systematic review of the recent literature

Authors: Geertje A. Govaert, Frank F. IJpma, Martin McNally, Eugene McNally, Inge H. Reininga, Andor W. Glaudemans

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 8/2017

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Abstract

Aims

Post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTO) is difficult to diagnose and there is no consensus on the best imaging strategy. The aim of this study is to present a systematic review of the recent literature on diagnostic imaging of PTO.

Methods

A literature search of the EMBASE and PubMed databases of the last 16 years (2000–2016) was performed. Studies that evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS), white blood cell (WBC) or antigranulocyte antibody (AGA) scintigraphy, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and plain computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing PTO were considered for inclusion. The review was conducted using the PRISMA statement and QUADAS-2 criteria.

Results

The literature search identified 3358 original records, of which 10 articles could be included in this review. Four of these studies had a comparative design which made it possible to report the results of, in total, 17 patient series. WBC (or AGA) scintigraphy and FDG-PET exhibit good accuracy for diagnosing PTO (sensitivity ranged from 50–100%, specificity ranged from 40–97% versus 83–100% and 51%–100%, respectively). The accuracy of both modalities improved when a hybrid imaging technique (SPECT/CT & FDG-PET/CT) was performed. For FDG-PET/CT, sensitivity ranged between 86 and 94% and specificity between 76 and 100%. For WBC scintigraphy + SPECT/CT, this is 100% and 89–97%, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the best available evidence of the last 16 years, both WBC (or AGA) scintigraphy combined with SPECT/CT or FDG-PET combined with CT have the best diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing peripheral PTO.
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Metadata
Title
Accuracy of diagnostic imaging modalities for peripheral post-traumatic osteomyelitis – a systematic review of the recent literature
Authors
Geertje A. Govaert
Frank F. IJpma
Martin McNally
Eugene McNally
Inge H. Reininga
Andor W. Glaudemans
Publication date
01-08-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 8/2017
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-017-3683-7

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