title: A novel imaging method for osteochondral lesions of the talus--comparison of SPECT-CT with MRI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the current standard in noninvasive diagnostics of osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the talus. Single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) is a new technique that displays different imaging qualities. The influence of the aforementioned diagnostic information on treatment decision making in talar OCLs is not known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate SPECT-CT in comparison with MRI for image interpretation and decision making in OCLs of the talus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance imaging and SPECT-CT of 25 patients (average age, 32 years; range, 18-69 years) were analyzed by 3 independent orthopaedic surgeons blinded to the study. Raters had to analyze images for predefined criteria of cartilage, subchondral bone plate, and subchondral bone, including bone marrow edema on MRI and scintigraphic activity on SPECT-CT. For MRI alone, SPECT-CT alone, and their combination, the treatment decision had to be defined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with MRI alone, treatment decision making changed in 48% of the cases with SPECT-CT alone and 52% with SPECT-CT and MRI combined. While cartilage showed good correlation for interpretation between MRI and SPECT-CT, the subchondral bone plate and subchondral bone showed substantial differences. Poor intrarater correlation highlighted the different information provided by the 2 imaging techniques. Poor interrater correlation showed a high heterogeneity in the treatment decision making of OCLs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with MRI, SPECT-CT provides additional information and influences the decision making of OCL treatment. For thorough diagnostic evaluation in OCLs, performing both MRI and SPECT-CT is recommended. Further clinical investigation is needed to see if SPECT-CT in addition to MRI results in improved treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leumann
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valderrabano
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plaass
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rasch
authors.forename: Ueli
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Studler
authors.forename: Beat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hintermann
authors.forename: Geert I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Pagenstert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D055815:Young Adult