Avi Blizovsky
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The use of imaging that combines PET (mapping using positron emitting substances) and computerized imaging (CT) has been found to be valuable for diagnosing infections in diabetic patients. This is what a first-of-its-kind study conducted by researchers at the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine at the Technion and the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa revealed.
The results of the study were published at the beginning of this month in the JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE, the leading journal in the field of nuclear medicine, and aroused great interest. In the study, Dr. Zohar Kidar, deputy director of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine at the Rambam Medical Center, describes the process of diagnosing one of the most serious complications in diabetes - a foot infection. "Chronic wounds and ulcers caused by impaired blood flow to the limb lead to the development of infections in the soft tissues and bones of the foot," he says. "Diagnosis of the infection as early as possible is of critical importance, since correct and early treatment may prevent deterioration of the condition of the leg and even amputation of the limb."
"In this study, imaging that combines PET and CT was used for the first time to locate and diagnose an infectious process in the feet of diabetic patients. PET/CT is an innovative imaging technology that combines in one device metabolic imaging using PET with anatomical imaging using CT. Through the use of labeled sugar and PET imaging we demonstrated the findings of the infection in the foot. The CT component of the device was used to accurately locate the infectious process and demonstrate changes in the soft tissues and bones of the foot. The combined imaging technology -PET/CT- enables accurate and quick diagnosis of infectious processes and leads to a more correct treatment decision."
This technology, which is currently used as one of the most important means in the world of medicine to find out cancerous diseases, can also be an important tool in identifying and locating infectious processes. At the Faculty of Medicine of the Technion and the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, several studies are currently being conducted that test the potential of this technology in clarifying various infectious processes such as clear fever for an unknown reason, clear patients after vascular bypass surgery and more.
Doctors from the Institute of Nuclear Medicine under the direction of Professor Ora Israel, from the X-ray Department and the Orthopedic Department of the Rambam Medical Center took part in the study.
They knew innovations in medicine
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