Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Four-Dimensional CT Analysis Using Sequential 3D-3D Registration
Published on: November 23, 2019
[SPECT/CT in diagnostics of the hand joint]
M W Huellner1, K Strobel, U Hug
1Institut für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Luzerner Kantonsspital, CH-6004, Luzern, Schweiz. martin.huellner@usz.ch
Clinical/Methodical Issue:
Hand and wrist pain remains a diagnostic challenge, both for hand surgeons and for radiologists. Especially chronic wrist pain is often hard to localize clinically and further cross-sectional imaging is often indispensable.
Standard Radiological Methods:
The well-established standard for non-invasive diagnostic imaging in chronic wrist pain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methodical Innovations:
Recently, state-of-the-art single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) systems have been introduced into the diagnostic array for musculoskeletal conditions. Besides morphological data SPECT/CT also provides metabolic information.
Performance:
SPECT/CT allows an exact detection and precise anatomical mapping of different pathologies of the wrist, which is often crucial for therapy.
Achievements:
In patients with chronic wrist pain, SPECT/CT is more specific than MRI. It is also beneficial in patients with posttraumatic conditions and metal implants and may serve as a problem-solving tool in difficult cases.
Practical Recommendations:
It is considered that SPECT/CT imaging is useful if MRI results are equivocal or present no clearly leading pathology. A primary examination with SPECT/CT seems to be a reasonable option for patients with certain bone pathologies, metal implants and non-specific wrist pain.
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