# Clinical Utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in Suspected Spondylodiscitis: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report highlights how FDG-PET/CT imaging helped diagnose spondylodiscitis in a patient initially suspected of having a hip infection.

## Contribution

The paper demonstrates the clinical utility of FDG-PET/CT in diagnosing spinal infections through a real-world case.

## Key findings

- FDG-PET/CT provided accurate metabolic and anatomical information leading to a correct diagnosis of spondylodiscitis.
- The imaging modality proved valuable in differentiating spinal infection from other conditions like hip prosthesis infection.

## Abstract

Nuclear medicine has undergone remarkable advances in recent decades. Among these, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) has become a key imaging modality, enabling metabolic assessment of tissues and precise anatomical correlation, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.

We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with fever, pain, and a deteriorated general condition, initially suspected of having a hip prosthesis infection. FDG-PET/CT imaging played a pivotal role in suggesting the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis. We also discuss the relevance of this modality, its broad range of current clinical applications, and its specific utility in diagnosing and managing spinal infections.