Textitis as Seen on ¹⁸F-NaF Imaging Using an Ultra-High-Resolution Positron Emission Mammography Scanner

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing skeletal pain not evident on radiographs.
• Textitis is a novel term describing osteoarthritis from repetitive smartphone use.

Observation:

• A 26-year-old woman with breast cancer presented with right thumb and wrist pain.
• ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT scans were negative for bone metastases.
• Dedicated hand imaging showed focal uptake in the first carpometacarpal and second metacarpophalangeal joints.

Findings:

• The focal uptake indicated active arthritic changes.
• These changes were attributed to repetitive strain injury from excessive text messaging, consistent with textitis.
• ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT effectively identified non-metastatic arthritic changes.

Implications:

• This case highlights the utility of ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT in diagnosing textitis.
• It underscores the potential for significant musculoskeletal strain from modern device usage.
• Early diagnosis of textitis can guide appropriate management and prevent further joint damage.