[18F]-sodium fluoride PET MR-based localization and quantification of bone turnover as a biomarker for facet joint-induced disability

Abstract

Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the relationship between low back pain-related disability and quantitative measures from [18F]-sodium fluoride ([18F]-NaF) MR imaging. Six patients with facetogenic low back pain underwent dynamic [18F]-NaF PET/MR imaging. PET metrics were correlated with clinical measures and MR imaging grading of lumbar facet arthropathy. A significant positive correlation was observed between maximum facet joint uptake rate and clinical disability (P .05). These data suggest that dynamic [18F]-NaF PET may serve as a useful biomarker for facetogenic disability.