Abstract
Due to its role in infection and inflammatory processes the chemokine receptor CXCR4 might be a potent target in imaging of infectious and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether the CXCR4 ligand 68Ga-Pentixafor is suitable for imaging chronic infection of the bone. Methods: The study comprises 14 patients with suspected infection of the skeleton that underwent 68Ga-Pentixafor-68Ga-Pentixafor-Positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) between 04/2015 and 02/2017 in our facility. 68Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT results were retrospectively evaluated against a histological, bacteriological and clinical standard. Results were also compared to available bone scintigraphy, white blood cell scintigraphy and 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Results: 68Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT was positive in 9/14 patients. Diagnoses included osteitis/osteomyelitis of peripheral bone, osteomyelitis of the maxilla and infected endoprostheses. Target-background ratios were 5,1 to 15 (mean 8,7). 8/9 cases were true positive confirmed by pathology, bacteriology or clinical observation. All negative cases were confirmed true negative by other imaging modalities and follow up. Conclusion: Imaging of CXCR4 expression with 68Ga-Pentixafor-PET/CT appears suitable for diagnosing chronic infection of the skeleton. Findings of this study reveal a possible diagnostic gain in suspected chronic infections that are difficult to diagnose by other imaging modalities.
- Copyright © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.