Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38050030›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of spine surgery2024

Applications of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Spinal Pathology: A Review.

Brandon P Hirsch, Jake Sossamon, Monis A Khan, Charles Reitman, James P Lawrence, John Glaser, Rebecca Chun, Brittany Gerald, Eli Baron, Theodore Goldstein and 4 more

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of spine surgery, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
1.3field-weighted citation impact, top 19% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Efficacy and safety of [European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2026
    Trial
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Brandon P HirschDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Jake SossamonCollege of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, SC, USA.
Monis A KhanDepartment of Neurologic and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Charles ReitmanDepartment of Orthopedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
James P LawrenceDepartment of Orthopedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
John GlaserDepartment of Orthopedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Rebecca ChunUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Brittany GeraldUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Eli BaronDepartment of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Theodore GoldsteinDepartment of Orthopedics, Spine Center of Excellence, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Ali A BaajDepartment of Neurologic and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
J Patrick JohnsonDepartment of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Saeed ElojeimyDepartment of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Robert A RavinskyDepartment of Orthopedics and Physical Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA robert.ravinsky@gmail.com.
Medical University of South Carolina · USUniversity of Arizona · USCedars-Sinai Medical Center · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAccurate identification of pain generators in the context of low back and spine-related pain is crucial for effective treatment. This review aims to evaluate the potential usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) as an imaging modality in guiding clinical decision-making.

methodsA broad scoping literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies evaluating the use of SPECT/CT in patients with spine-related pain. Studies were reviewed for their methodology and results.

resultsSPECT/CT appears to have advantages over traditional modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging and CT, in certain clinical scenarios. It may offer additional information to clinicians and improve the specificity of diagnosis. However, further studies are needed to fully assess its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility.

conclusionsSPECT/CT is a promising imaging modality in the evaluation of low back pain, particularly in cases where magnetic resonance imaging and CT are inconclusive or equivocal. However, the current level of evidence is limited, and additional research is needed to determine its overall clinical relevance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SPECT/CT may have a significant impact on clinical decision-making, particularly in cases in which traditional imaging modalities fail to provide a clear diagnosis. Its ability to improve specificity could lead to more targeted and effective treatment for patients with spinal pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4:

Indexed as

axial back paindiagnostic imaginglumbar degenerative diseasepain generatorsSPECT/CT

Identifiers

PMID38050030
PMCPMC11265499
OpenAlexW4389080200

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.