[Importance of SPECT/CT for knee and hip joint prostheses].
OBJECTIVE
Complications, such as loosening or infections are common problems after hip or knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
If conventional X-rays are equivocal bone scintigraphy is the classical second-line imaging modality.


METHODS
Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) offers metabolic and morphologic information in one imaging step and is becoming increasingly more available in larger hospitals.


METHODS
The SPECT/CT procedure is a promising method and is increasingly being used in daily routine to evaluate joint arthroplasty. The additional benefit compared with classical conventional bone scintigraphy has to be evaluated in further prospective studies.


RESULTS
In our hospital SPECT/CT regularly gives important additional information regarding prosthetic joint complications.


CONCLUSIONS
SPECT/CT is increasingly being used as the second step imaging standard modality if conventional X-rays are equivocal.
Institut für Nuklearmedizin und Röntgendiagnostik, Luzerner Kantonsspital, CH-6000, Luzern 16, Schweiz. klaus.strobel@luks.ch
K
K
Strobel
I
I
Steurer-Dober
M W
MW
Huellner
P
P
Veit-Haibach
B
B
Allgayer
D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome