Nuclear medicine techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Abstract

Nuclear medicine techniques are increasingly used in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases. Among these, bone scintigraphy has been used for many years in the diagnosis and follow-up of benign and malignant diseases. The introduction of SPECT-CT improved the specificity of the test and increased utilization. Molecular imaging with FDGPET- CT has now become indispensable in the staging and treatment follow-up of primary and secondary malignancies of skeletal system. Other radiopharmaceuticals like radiolabeled thymidine and tyrosine will help to better understand the molecular biology of diseases. Bone pain palliation and radiosynovectomy are the routinely used nuclear medicine therapies. The introduction of new radiopharmaceuticals used in conjunction with other methods of treatment will further improve the patient benefit.