The accuracy of imaging techniques in the evaluation of infected total hip prostheses (arthroplasty)

What is it about?

Nuclear imaging of infected total hip prostheses (arthroplasty) including bone scintigraphy (bone scans), leukocyte scintigraphy, antigranulocyte scintigraphy, FDG-PET and combined techniques (bone-leukocyte scintigraphy, leukocyte-bone marrow scintigraphy)

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Why is it important?

We compared all imaging techniques in order to determine the most sensitive and specific imaging modalities in the evaluation of infected total hip prostheses. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that combined leukocyte and bone marrow scintigraphy and FDG-PET were highly specific techniques to confirm periprosthetic hip infection. When diagnostic test are inconclusive, these imaging techniques can contribute in the evaluation of a suspected total hip arthroplasty (especially in case of an low-grade infection).