title: The effectiveness of gallium citrate Ga 67 radionuclide imaging in vertebral osteomyelitis revisited.
abstract: We investigated the role of gallium citrate Ga 67 scanning in diagnosing spondylodiscitis. Scans of 41 patients with suspected spondylodiscitis showed increased radionuclide uptake in 39 patients; these findings correlated with those of magnetic resonance imaging and were proved by biopsy. Two patients with negative findings on gallium scans had been strongly suspected of having spondylodiscitis; biopsy findings in these patients showed degenerative changes. Thirteen patients had negative cultures, while 22 had polygenic infections and 4 had granulomatous infections. Gallium scanning proved to be 100% sensitive, specific, and accurate. The interrater accuracy was excellent. Follow-up scans were used to track therapeutic progress. We recommend complementary bone and gallium scans in cases of suspected spinal infections. If the scan is positive, a biopsy should be done. If the scans are negative, no further investigation is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hadjipavlou
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cesani-Vazquez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villaneuva-Meyer
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mader
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Necessary
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Crow
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaljub
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002951:Citrates; D015299:Discitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005708:Gallium; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D005708:Gallium; C103850:gallium citrate