PET-CT Imaging in Chronic Bone Infections: A Surgical Breakthrough

The Challenge of Chronic Osteomyelitis

Chronic osteomyelitis (bone infection) remains one of the most challenging orthopaedic conditions. Traditional surgical methods rely on MRI or X-ray scans to identify infected areas. However, these structural imaging techniques often fail to distinguish active infection from past scarring or surgical changes.

Enter Molecular PET-CT Planning

Preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT scans measure metabolic activity. Because active bacterial infections and inflammatory cells consume glucose rapidly, they absorb the radiotracer strongly, glowing brightly on the scan. This allows us to map the infection's precise margins down to the millimeter.

Molecular PET-CT imaging allows us to see the infection before we make the first incision, protecting healthy bone while ensuring the infection is eradicated.

Research & Clinical Findings

Our recently published retrospective comparative study in European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (2026) analyzed patients undergoing PET-CT-guided geographic debridement versus conventional planning. The data showed that PET-CT planning significantly reduced recurrence rates and minimized unnecessary bone loss, allowing for faster subsequent bone transport reconstruction.

Conclusion

For patients suffering from recurrent, non-healing bone infections, molecular PET-CT planning offers a targeted approach that maximizes limb salvage chances and shortens recovery.