¹⁸ Fluorine?fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for assessment of deep digital flexor tendinopathy: An exploratory study in eight horses with comparison to CT and MRI

Lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) are a cause for foot lameness in horses. Positron emission tomography (PET) could provide valuable information regarding metabolic activity these lesions. The aims this exploratory, prospective, methods comparison study were to assess ability 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET detect DDFT lesions and compare findings with CT MRI findings. Eight horses due pain localized front feet included. Both limbs all imaged 18F-FDG PET, noncontrast CT, arterial contrast-enhanced CT; 11 also assessed using MRI. Two observers graded independently contrast T1-weighted (T1-w) MRI, T2-weighted (T2-w)/STIR Maximal standardized uptake values measured. found seven 16 on 12 six 15 eight T1-w T2-w/STIR was better agreement (Kappa-weighted 0.40) (0.35) than (0.28) (0.20). ranged from 1.9 4.6 median 3.1. Chronic scar tissues identified or did not have increased uptake. These results demonstrated that agreed more closely modalities previously used active lesions, i.e. 18Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose can be identify metabolically