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Could 68 Ga-DOTA-UBI-29-41 Help Identify Chronic Osteomyelitis on PET/CT Images? A Pilot Study
Solange Amorim Nogueira1, Marycel F de Barboza2, Adriana M Dell'Aquila3
1From the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
Abstract:
This pilot study aimed to confirm the presence of infectious agents in infection foci using PET/CT imaging with 68 Ga-DOTA-UBI (29-41) in 7 patients with chronic osteomyelitis and with indications for surgical cleaning at the site of the infection focus. The whole-body PET/CT was performed on Biograph mCT 40 PET/CT scanner (Siemens Healthineers); the image began 45-60 minutes postinjection of the radiotracer (148-260 MBq). This study demonstrated that, in 6 patients in whom the PET/CT was classified as positive for identified infectious foci, confirmed by culture of the secretion sample collected during surgery, only 1 patient in antibiotic therapy was negative.
Insights
This pilot study used Gallium-68 DOTA-UBI (29-41) PET/CT imaging to detect infectious agents in chronic osteomyelitis. The imaging accurately identified infection foci in most patients, aiding surgical planning.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Chronic osteomyelitis presents diagnostic challenges, often requiring invasive procedures to confirm infection.
- Accurate localization of infectious foci is crucial for effective surgical intervention and treatment of osteomyelitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with 68Ga-DOTA-UBI (29-41) for detecting infectious agents in chronic osteomyelitis.
- To assess the correlation between PET/CT findings and microbiological cultures from surgical samples.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 7 patients with chronic osteomyelitis underwent whole-body PET/CT using 68Ga-DOTA-UBI (29-41) radiotracer.
- Imaging was performed 45-60 minutes post-injection of the radiotracer (148-260 MBq) on a Siemens Healthineers Biograph mCT 40 scanner.
- PET/CT results were compared with intraoperative secretion sample cultures.
Main Results:
- PET/CT imaging identified infectious foci in 6 out of 7 patients.
- Microbiological cultures confirmed the presence of infectious agents in these 6 patients.
- Only one patient receiving antibiotic therapy showed negative PET/CT findings.
Conclusions:
- 68Ga-DOTA-UBI (29-41) PET/CT imaging shows promise for identifying infectious foci in chronic osteomyelitis.
- This imaging technique can aid in the diagnosis and surgical management of osteomyelitis.
- Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings in a larger cohort.
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