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Blood Pool SPECT/CT Using New 3D-ring CZT System in Knee Bursitis
Yacine El Yaagoubi1, Caroline Prunier-Aesch, Laurent Philippe
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vinci Clinic, Tours, France.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|May 4, 2026
Summary
New 3D-ring CZT SPECT/CT imaging effectively identified infrapatellar bursitis and patellar tendinopathy in a patient with knee pain. This advanced bone scintigraphy technique aids in diagnosing extraosseous knee conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Complex regional pain syndrome is a diagnostic challenge, often requiring advanced imaging beyond plain radiography.
- Knee pain can stem from various sources, including bursitis and tendinopathy, which may not be evident on standard X-rays.
- Technological advancements in nuclear medicine imaging systems are crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy in musculoskeletal disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of a novel 3D-ring CZT SPECT/CT system for diagnosing knee pain.
- To assess the capability of blood pool SPECT/CT in identifying extraosseous pathologies, such as infrapatellar bursitis.
- To demonstrate the effectiveness of advanced bone scintigraphy in detecting associated conditions like patellar tendinopathy.
Main Methods:
- A 63-year-old male patient with left knee pain underwent 99mTc-HDP bone scintigraphy utilizing a 3D-ring CZT SPECT/CT system (StarGuide).
- Blood pool and late-phase SPECT/CT imaging were performed to assess vascularity and focal uptake.
- Plain radiography was conducted initially, yielding normal results.
Main Results:
- Blood pool SPECT/CT revealed intense hyperemia along the patellar tendon, indicative of infrapatellar bursitis.
- Late-phase SPECT/CT demonstrated focal increased radiotracer uptake on the tibial tuberosity, suggesting associated patellar tendinopathy.
- The 3D-ring CZT system provided detailed anatomical and functional information beyond conventional imaging.
Conclusions:
- Blood pool SPECT/CT imaging with the new 3D-ring CZT system is highly effective in diagnosing infrapatellar bursitis.
- This advanced scintigraphy technique successfully identified concurrent patellar tendinopathy, highlighting its value in complex knee pain evaluation.
- The study underscores the potential of 3D-ring CZT SPECT/CT to detect relevant extraosseous knee conditions, improving diagnostic capabilities.
