# Diagnostic accuracy of $^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT in patients with osteomyelitis and orthopaedic device-related infections: A retrospective analysis

Plate, A; Weichselbaumer, V; Schüpbach, R; Fucentese, S F; Berli, M; Hüllner, M; Achermann, Y (2020). Diagnostic accuracy of $^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT in patients with osteomyelitis and orthopaedic device-related infections: A retrospective analysis. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 91:79-86.

## Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Conventional imaging techniques are routinely used in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected osteomyelitis or orthopaedic implant-associated infections. Hybrid nuclear medicine imaging techniques are a suitable alternative to routine imaging modalities as they provide anatomical and functional information within one procedure. Our study investigated the performance of anti-granulocyte SPECT/CT using $^{99m}$Tc-labelled monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and orthopaedic implant-associated infections.
METHODS
In this retrospective analysis, we included all patients with $^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT acquired in the context of a suspected bone and joint infection. All patients underwent routine diagnostics and/or had a clinical follow-up of at least 12 months.
RESULTS
26 episodes were included. Fifteen exams were performed for suspected osteomyelitis, and 11 for suspected orthopaedic implant-associated infection. SPECT/CT was ordered most often if standard diagnostic tests or conventional imaging modalities remained inconclusive. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of an infection was 77.8% and 94.1%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 87.5% and the negative predictive value 88.9%. Diagnostic accuracy was 88.5%.
CONCLUSIONS
$^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT imaging has a high accuracy in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and orthopaedic implant-associated infections and is a suitable non-invasive diagnostic tool if standard diagnostic examinations are inconclusive or not applicable.

## Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Conventional imaging techniques are routinely used in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected osteomyelitis or orthopaedic implant-associated infections. Hybrid nuclear medicine imaging techniques are a suitable alternative to routine imaging modalities as they provide anatomical and functional information within one procedure. Our study investigated the performance of anti-granulocyte SPECT/CT using $^{99m}$Tc-labelled monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and orthopaedic implant-associated infections.
METHODS
In this retrospective analysis, we included all patients with $^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT acquired in the context of a suspected bone and joint infection. All patients underwent routine diagnostics and/or had a clinical follow-up of at least 12 months.
RESULTS
26 episodes were included. Fifteen exams were performed for suspected osteomyelitis, and 11 for suspected orthopaedic implant-associated infection. SPECT/CT was ordered most often if standard diagnostic tests or conventional imaging modalities remained inconclusive. The overall sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of an infection was 77.8% and 94.1%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 87.5% and the negative predictive value 88.9%. Diagnostic accuracy was 88.5%.
CONCLUSIONS
$^{99m}$Tc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT imaging has a high accuracy in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis and orthopaedic implant-associated infections and is a suitable non-invasive diagnostic tool if standard diagnostic examinations are inconclusive or not applicable.

## Statistics

### Citations

Dimensions.ai Metrics
4 citations in Web of Science®
5 citations in Scopus®

### Altmetrics

Detailed statistics