The application of Single photon emission computed tomography to the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis of the spine

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Abstract
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to examine the spine in a prospective long-term study of the value of bone scintigraphy in the detection and diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Sites of increased uptake of 99mTc-MDP [methylenediphosphonate] were observed in 3 of the 11 patients examined. By carefully optimizing the SPECT system (rotating gamma camera), and the examination procedure, with respect to high spatial resolution, it was possible to relate these sites precisely to anatomical sites in sectional images of the spine. Advantages of SPECT are demonstrated in all 3 cases in which the areas of increased uptake in sagittal and transverse sections can be related to specific anatomical sites of the spine characteristically affected by AS. Findings in each of these cases are quite distinct from those of a normal case and correlate with the radiographic appearances. SPECT will make it easier to observe, localize and evaluate regions of increased uptake in patients with AS, compared with conventional scintigraphy.