PET/computed tomography shows association between subjective pain in knee joints and fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) in screening for musculoskeletal inflammation and injury in the knee region. Methods The study included 12 subjects (6 men and 6 women) who complained of knee pain at rest and 94 controls who did not. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV)max was calculated for the right and left knees and compared via a 4-point numerical rating scale (NRS) for subjective knee pain. Correlations between SUV values were also evaluated. Results SUVmax was significantly higher in knee joints with resting and/or walking pain than in pain-free knee joints. SUVmax in knee joints with walking pain were significantly correlated with NRS category (beta = 0.129, P < 0.001). Conclusion F-18-FDG-PET/CT may be useful in screening for musculoskeletal inflammation and injury in the knee region. As knee pain is common, especially among elderly individuals, we should consider conducting further examinations when F-18-FDG uptake is identified in knee joints.