ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of PET/CT technique in the atypical spinal tuberculosis. Methods A total of 60 patients who had suffered from spinal tuberculosis and spinal metastasis confirmed by surgical interventions from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. 18F-FDG PET/CT examination was made at our department. Image data of X-ray, CT, and PET/CT were compared in the diagnosis accuracy. Results A total of 52 males and 8 females, aged from 38 to 82 years (mean, 50.2 years) were collected. The statistical analysis showed PET/CT technology with sensitivity of 85%, and specificity of 95%, which were significantly higher than those of X-ray and CT (AUC=0.900, P<0.05) . 18F-FDG PET/CT can find more lesions than X-ray and CT, find "cold abscess" and "cold zone" of spinal tuberculosis, that was an exclusive value of PET/CT diagnosis for atypical spinal tuberculosis. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT shows an important clinical diagnostic value for the atypical spinal tuberculosis.