Abstract
BACKGROUND: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a diagnostic option for knee osteoarthritis patients without osteoarthritic features on X-ray; however, the added value of SPECT/CT remains debatable in the diagnostic algorithm.
OBJECTIVE: To review the added value of SPECT/CT in the diagnostic algorithm of knee osteoarthritis.
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review.
METHODS: A systematic search was carried out in the databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane collaboration. The retrieved articles were screened for relevance on title and abstract. This was followed by a full-text study quality appraisal of the remaining articles. Finally, a total of 9 trials were included.
RESULTS: The use of SPECT/CT might objectify some clinical knee osteoarthritis symptoms. It could correlate with findings on plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, there is some evidence SPECT/CT gives additional information compared with these imaging modalities; however, superiority is not proven. The uptake on SPECT could predict the intraoperative macroscopic findings. Yet the clinical relevance remains unclear.
CONCLUSION: There is no strong evidence SPECT/CT should play a role in the diagnosing and decision-making processes of knee osteoarthritis. Yet there is evidence suggesting SPECT/CT might give additional information in the diagnosing process. More research would be of added value to answer this research question.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 431-437 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Cartilage |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 16 Jun 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Keywords
- diagnostic value
- knee
- osteoarthritis
- SPECT/CT
- systematic review