The role of positron emission tomography in skeletal disease

The role of positron emission tomography (PET) in the evaluation and manage ment of skeletal disorders is increasing. A number of reports are available in both benign and malignant disease with a variety of tracers. The bone a gent F-18-fluoride can be used to evaluate bone metastases both qualitative ly and, for a number of focal and systemic skeletal disorders, quantitative ly. 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose is used as a tumor agent in both primary and meta static bone and bone marrow malignancies; its use has also been described i n the evaluation of infection within the skeleton. A possible role for the use of the hypoxia selective tracer F-18-fluoromisonidazole in skeletal inf ection also exists. This article summarizes the current role of PET in the skeleton with regard to these tracers and diseases. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.