PET/CT imaging of spinal inflammation and microcalcification in patients with low back pain: A pilot study on the quantification by artificial intelligence-based segmentation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Current imaging modalities are often incapable of identifying nociceptive sources of low back pain (LBP). We aimed to characterize these by means of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) of the lumbar spine region applying tracers ¹⁸ F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and ¹⁸ F-sodium fluoride (NaF) targeting inflammation and active microcalcification, respectively.

Methods

Using artificial intelligence (AI)-based quantification, we compared PET findings in two sex- and age-matched groups, a case group of seven males and five females, mean age 45 ± 14 years, with ongoing LBP and a similar control group of 12 pain-free individuals. PET/CT scans were segmented into three distinct volumes of interest (VOIs): lumbar vertebral bodies, f

SUBMITTER: Piri R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9322590 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature