PET-Computed Tomography in Bone and Joint Infections.

This communication gives a short review of clinical utilities of PET/computed-tomography (CT) imaging in bone and joint infections. PET/CT imaging provides additional information over conventional modalities by providing information regarding disease extent in the bone as well as whole body, giving an idea of active pathology at the molecular level, and response evaluation. The roles of fluorodeoxyglucose have been examined in multiple indications, particularly in osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections, diabetic foot, and systemic diseases with skeletal involvement. The role of PET/CT imaging using other tracers like 18F-sodium fluoride, gallium-68 citrate, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-labeled WBCs, and futuristic PET/MR have been also discussed shortly.