Using 18F NaF PET/CT to Image Increased Bone Activity in Patellofemoral Pain: Correlation with MRI

Christine Elizabeth Draper¹, Michael Fredericson¹, Thor F. Besier¹, Gary S. Beaupre², Scott L. Delp¹, Andrew Quon¹, Garry E. Gold¹

Articular cartilage deterioration is associated with the development of osteoarthritis. Cartilage health depends upon the integrity of the underlying subchondral bone and there may be abnormalities in bone metabolic activity that accompany structural defects in bone and cartilage. 18F NaF PET/CT enables bone metabolic activity to be visualized. We compared metabolic abnormalities detected using PET/CT with structural defects seen using MRI. We found that regions of increased bone metabolic activity do not always correlate with cartilage damage or bone marrow edema, indicating that 18F NaF PET/CT may image bone abnormalities prior to the development of structural damage seen using MRI.