Role and applications of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of osteoarticular infection and inflammation - Part I.

18F-FDG PET/CT has been positioned over time as a useful tool in the evaluation of osteoarticular infections, overcoming conventional explorations like MRI or bone scintigraphy in some indications. Its ability to provide functional and anatomical images simultaneously and its excellent resolution contributes to a more precise and personalised approach in the treatment of osteoarticular diseases such as spondylodiscitis. In addition, it has proven valuable in patients with suspected infection that is complex to diagnose or treat, improving detection in subclinical stages. However, some limitations have been identified, such as difficulty in the differential diagnosis of infection vs. inflammation (as in diabetic foot) or in the interpretation of patients with osteosynthesis materials. In this manuscript, we present a brief review providing general and practical information about the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infectious osteoarticular pathology, while part 2 discusses the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in osteoarticular inflammation.