The role of positron emission tomography in the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal lesions-a narrative review.

Abstract

Background and objective: The role of positron emission tomography (PET) in evaluating musculoskeletal lesions has evolved significantly over the past several decades. When combined with conventional imaging, PET can provide substantial value, but understanding its optimal use and potential pitfalls is crucial. This literature review highlights the current role of PET in common bone and soft tissue sarcomas (STS), PET-positive benign lesions, differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, and evaluating skeletal lesions from primary carcinomas. Furthermore, we review the future potential of PET in this evolving landscape.

Methods: In this literature review article, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies and reviews on the management of musculoskeletal tumors with PET-computed tomography (CT) scans with focus on bone and STS.

Key content and findings: This review elucidates the optimal scenarios for employing PET/CT in managing musculoskeletal tumors and highlights potential pitfalls. A key strength of this study is the correlation of patient case imaging, effectively demonstrating practical applications of PET/CT.

Conclusions: PET imaging serves as a valuable tool for diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of musculoskeletal tumors, particularly sarcomas. With a multidisciplinary approach and ongoing research, PET/CT is poised to become a leading method in the management of musculoskeletal tumors.