title: Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection: The Role of Nuclear Medicine May Be Overestimated.
abstract: Although the International Consensus Meeting on Periprosthetic Joint Infection's definition of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) does not include nuclear imaging as part of the diagnostic criteria, many contemporary nuclear imaging studies are reporting exceptional results in PJI diagnosis. We conducted a systematic review of studies published from 2004 to 2012 reporting the accuracy of nuclear imaging for diagnosis of PJI, utilizing a specially designed tool (QUADAS-2) for critical appraisal and investigation of bias. Our results revealed high risk of bias as well as high levels of concern regarding the clinical applicability of these tests in a majority of the studies. On the basis of our findings, we recommend that the use of nuclear imaging for diagnosis of PJI be limited to a few select cases.
authors: The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Diaz-Ledezma
authors: The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Courtney
authors: C
authors: Lamberton
authors: The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Lichstein
authors: The Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Parvizi
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012015:Reference Standards; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
keywords: bias; diagnostic imaging; nuclear imaging; periprosthetic joint infection; total joint arthroplasty