Comparison of maximum and mean standardized uptake values of jaw pathologies with bone SPECT/CT: an especial focus on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Analysis of bone single-photon emission CT/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: focusing on the correlation between standardized uptake values and apparent diffusion coefficient values

The purpose of this study is to investigate bone SPECT/CT and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), focusing on the correlation between standardized uptake values (SUVs) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Twenty-nine patients with MRONJ who underwent SPECT/CT and DWI were included in this study. SUVs (maximum and mean) with SPECT/CT, and ADC values (maximum, mean and minimum) with DWI were analyzed on characteristics in MRONJ, such as stage, location, medication and underlying disease, by Mann-Whitney U test. Furthermore, the correlation between SUVs and ADC values for characteristics in MRONJ were assessed by Spearman's rank correlation test for nonparametric data. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. SUVs and ADC values have no significant differences for all characteristics in MRONJ. Negative correlations were found in all cases and in stage 2 cases, and no correlations were found in stage 3 cases. In addition, negative correlations were found in maxillary cases, mandibular cases, non-bisphosphonate cases, osteoporosis cases, and malignant tumor cases. In conclusion, this study found multiple correlations between SUVs and ADC values in MRONJ, especially in stage 2. Suggesting that ADC values and SUVs may change with disease progression and the possibility of predicting MRONJ progression by SUVs and ADC values.

Preoperative Assessment of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Using [18F]fluoride Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/CT and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/MRI in Correlation with Histomorphometry and Micro-CT-A Prospective Comparative Study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the imaging characteristics of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) using [18F]fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative assessment and to correlate them with microarchitectural and histomorphometric data with respect to clinical findings.

METHODS

Twelve patients (five female; mean age 75 ± 7.6 yr) with symptomatic MRONJ underwent both scans on the same day, and imaging findings were used to plan surgical interventions for seven patients. Bone tracer uptake was classified as high, medium, or low, and surgical samples were evaluated using Micro-CT and histomorphometric analysis.

RESULTS

CT showed medullary sclerosis in all patients, and MRI revealed gadolinium enhancement in four patients. PET imaging revealed remarkably elevated [18F]fluoride uptake and moderately increased [18F]FDG uptake in MRONJ compared to healthy jawbones, with both differences being statistically significant. [18F]fluoride uptake was associated with necrosis, bacteria, and inflammatory tissue. Micro-CT data did not show significant differences, but histomorphometric analysis revealed higher osteocyte and lacunae densities in the high [18F]fluoride uptake group, and more necrotic bone in the medium [18F]fluoride uptake group. Bacteria were observed in all areas.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, [18F]fluoride PET accurately identified MRONJ extent, revealing functional changes in jawbone remodeling not visible on CT. [18F]FDG PET showed differences in bone and soft tissue, though less pronounced. This method aids in evaluating disease activity and guiding treatment planning, requiring further research for optimal surgical approaches based on tracer uptake.

Maximum and mean standardized uptake values of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with bone SPECT/CT: comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints

OBJECTIVE

Recently, single-photon emission CT/CT (SPECT/CT) plays an important role in assessing patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of this study was to investigate maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of MRONJ with bone SPECT/CT, especially comparison of mandibular pathologies, control and temporomandibular joints.

METHODS

61 mandibular patients with MRONJ who underwent bone SPECT/CT were included in this study. The maximum and mean SUVs of the lesion, right and left sides of the lesion, opposite side of the lesion as control, right and left temporomandibular joints were analyzed using a workstation and software. The SUVs of MRONJ were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Patient characteristics with MRONJ and SUVs were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

The maximum and mean SUVs for opposite side of the lesions (4.4 ± 2.0 and 1.8 ± 0.7) were significantly lower than those for mandibular lesions (18.3 ± 8.1 and 6.3 ± 2.8), right side of the lesions (8.1 ± 3.9 and 2.9 ± 1.3) and left side of the lesions (8.1 ± 3.9 and 2.8 ± 1.4), respectively. The maximum and mean SUVs for right and left sides of the lesions, and opposite side of the lesions, right and left temporomandibular joints were not significant difference. Furthermore, the maximum SUVs of the mandibular lesions were a significant difference for age and staging.

CONCLUSIONS

The maximum and mean SUVs with SPECT/CT can be useful in the quantitative management of MRONJ patients.