Molecular imaging helped diagnose diabetic foot infection

Society of Nuclear Medicine's 57th Annual Meeting

Using multiple imaging agents with a hybrid imaging technique may be a valuable tool to accurately diagnose and determine treatment for a variety of diabetes-associated foot diseases, according to a study presented yesterday at the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s 57th Annual Meeting.

For the 3-year study, researchers used dual tracer single photon emission tomography and computed tomography (SPECT/CT) to identify foot disease in 23 patients with diabetes (16 men; mean age, 57 years).

Patients received multiple molecular imaging scans using different imaging agents to identify the presence of bone infection, soft tissue infection, a combination of bone and soft tissue infection or other bone diseases. An additional bone marrow scan was conducted if mid- or hind-foot infection was suspected.

According to the results, dual-agent SPECT/CT was highly accurate for diagnosing diabetic foot infection. Results of the scan determined the course of treatment or therapy in 84% of cases.

In addition, in the 48 scan-guided managements, 77% of scans led to conservative management, including local tissue debridement, and 21% of scans led to limb salvage procedures, such as partial bony resections and toe amputation.

“This new imaging technique is proving to be critical for managing diabetes-associated foot infection by providing comprehensive views of both anatomy and specific disease processes in the foot,” Sherif Heiba, MD, associate professor of radiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said in a press release. “By using this molecular imaging technique with dual imaging agents, we were able to better diagnosed diabetic foot infections and guide physicians to appropriate treatment for these diabetic patients.”

For more information:

Heiba S. Scientific Paper #370. Presented at: Society of Nuclear Medicine’s 57th Annual Meeting; June 5-9, 2010; Salt Lake City, Utah.