Detection of nociceptive-related metabolic activity in the spinal cord of low back pain patients using 18F-FDG PET/CT

Conclusions Patients with LBP show increased uptake of 18F-FDG in the caudal aspect of the thoracic spinal cord, compared to patients without LBP. Implications This paper demonstrates the potential of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a biomarker of increased metabolic activity in the spinal cord related to LBP. As such, it could potentially aid in the treatment of LBP by localizing physiologically active spinal cord regions and guiding minimally invasive delivery of analgesics or stimulators to relevant levels of the spinal cord.
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research