[18F]FDG PET/CT imaging of spinal infections

The annual incidence of spinal infections has been rising significantly over the last years and is expected to increase even further. Spinal infections may include infection of the vertebral body and intervertebral disc (spondylodiscitis), paravertebral abscess, epidural abscess and septic arthritis of the facet joints. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [F-18]FDG has high sensitivity for detecting spinal infections, may help in differentiating between spinal infection subtypes and is able to detect dissemination of infection outside the spine. [F-18]FDG PET/CT is especially indicated if MRI is inconclusive, in patients with contra-indications for MRI, in postoperative patients with or without spinal hardware and in patients with bacteremia to find foci of infection. Here, we present a concise overview of the spectrum of [F-18]FDG PET/CT imaging findings in spinal infections.