Clinical and 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging Characteristics of Post-radiotherapy Sacral Insufficiency Fractures in Cervical...

Sacral Insufficiency Fractures (SIFs) are a common yet frequently misdiagnosed late complication following pelvic radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Accurate differentiation from bone metastases is crucial to avoid unnecessary interventions. While MRI is sensitive for early marrow edema, integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT offers a unique simultaneous assessment of bone metabolism and systemic tumor status. However, comprehensive studies detailing the qualitative and quantitative PET/CT characteristics of post-radiotherapy SIFs are lacking. This study aims to systematically define these features and establish their discriminative value.

In this retrospective study, we analyzed 32 cervical cancer patients who developed SIFs following pelvic radiotherapy and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging between January 2018 and January 2024. Diagnosis was based on characteristic radiologic findings, clinical correlation, and a minimum 12-month follow-up. Qualitative (fracture patterns, FDG uptake morphology) and quantitative (SUVmax, SUR-BP ratio, CT densitometry) parameters on 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated.

SIFs predominantly occurred in postmenopausal women (93.7%, 30/32) at a median of 14 months post-radiotherapy. Sacral involvement was observed as follows: unilateral ala (53.1%, 17/32), bilateral alae (37.5%, 12/32), and extension to the sacral body (9.4%, 3/32). The affected segments were primarily located at S1-S3. Concomitant pelvic fractures were also frequently identified, including pubic (28.1%, 9/32), iliac (25%, 8/32), and bilateral L5 transverse process fractures (6.2%, 2/32). Common CT findings included ill-defined osteosclerosis near the sacroiliac joint (87.5%, 28/32) and linear or curvilinear hypoattenuating fracture lines (68.7%, 22/32). PET revealed characteristic mild, diffuse/patchy FDG uptake parallel to the sacroiliac joint (96.8%, 31/32) with low metabolic activity (mean SUVmax 2.45±0.74, mean SUR-BP 1.46±0.38). Quantitative CT confirmed significant osteopenia within the radiation field (mean HU 36.8±28.6 vs. 78.0±37.3 outside, p<0.001).

Post-radiation SIFs predominantly affect postmenopausal cervical cancer patients due to radiotherapy-induced osteoporosis and bone vulnerability. These fractures often present with nonspecific pain and require differentiation from bone metastases, for which 18F-FDG PET/CT is essential due to its ability to detect characteristic metabolic patterns and associated osteoporotic changes. Key diagnostic features include linear or curvilinear hypoattenuating fracture lines, mild diffuse/patchy FDG uptake parallel to the sacroiliac joint, and background osteoporotic changes within radiation fields. Integrated PET/CT outperformed single-modality imaging by enabling simultaneous assessment of bone metabolism and systemic tumor status, a critical advantage over MRI (superior for marrow edema but unable to evaluate systemic disease) and standalone CT (lacking metabolic discrimination of benign vs malignant lesions). Early recognition of SIFs through integrated imaging is critical to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary invasive procedures, thereby guiding appropriate conservative management.

SIFs represent a prevalent post-radiotherapy complication in cervical cancer patients, with a particular predilection for postmenopausal women. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrates high diagnostic reliability for diagnosing SIFs, which typically present as linear fractures parallel to the sacroiliac joints on a background of osteoporotic changes, accompanied by mild diffuse or patchy FDG uptake and frequently co-occurring with pelvic fractures at other sites. Integrated PET/CT is crucial for early recognition, preventing misdiagnosis as metastasis, and guiding appropriate conservative management.