Hybrid imaging in foot and ankle disorders

Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol (Engl Ed). 2018 May-Jun;37(3):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.remn.2017.10.003. Epub 2017 Dec 6.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Disorders of the foot and ankle are some of the most frequent ones affecting the musculoskeletal system and have a great impact on patients' quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is an important clinical challenge because of the complex anatomy and function of the foot, that make it difficult to locate the source of the pain by routine clinical examination. In the study of foot pathology, anatomical imaging (radiography, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], ultrasound and computed tomography [CT]) and functional imaging (bone scan, positron emission tomography [PET] and MRI) techniques have been used. Hybrid imaging combines the advantages of morphological and functional studies in a synergistic way, helping the clinician manage complex problems. In this article we delve into the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and ankle and describe the potential indications for the current hybrid techniques available for the study of foot and ankle disease.

Keywords: Ankle; Diabetic foot; Dolor de pie; Foot; Foot pain; Hybrid imaging; Imagen híbrida; PET/CT; PET/RM; PET/TC; Pie; Pie diabético; SPECT/CT; SPECT/TC; Tobillo.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ankle / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ankle Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetic Foot / diagnostic imaging
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Foot / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foot Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foot Diseases / physiopathology
  • Foot Diseases / surgery
  • Foot Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multimodal Imaging* / methods
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Musculoskeletal Pain / etiology
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Tarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging