Nuclear medicine in the evaluation of the spine: Correlation with CT and MRI

Learning Objectives 1. Discuss the different imaging techniques available for evaluation of spinal pathology and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each. 2. Identify and describe the appearance of common spinal diseases on various imaging modalities.

Nuclear medicine is often used in the evaluation of abnormalities of the spine. Given the increased utilization of hybrid imaging, the nuclear medicine physician should be familiar with the CT and MRI appearances of the different spine pathologies. The radiologist should be familiar with different nuclear medicine techniques available for evaluation of spine abnormalities. The purpose of this exhibit is to describe the different spinal pathologies commonly seen in clinical practice and their typical appearance with CT, MRI, and various nuclear medicine radiotracers, including Tc-99m MDP, F-18 FDG, F-18 NaF, and Ga-67. Disease states that will be discussed include trauma, infection, neoplasm, and other degenerative/inflammatory conditions.