Bertolotti Syndrome Demonstrated on 18F-NaF PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Jun;42(6):480-482. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001632.

Abstract

Bertolotti syndrome is a form of low-back pain associated with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman with breast cancer presented with severe low-back pain. F-NaF PET/CT demonstrates increased radiotracer uptake at the transverse-sacral articulation corresponding to hemisacralized left transverse process of L5 vertebra. Increased tracer uptake in patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebrae seems to correlate with lower-back pain symptoms. F-NaF PET/CT can be useful in evaluation of some uncommon causes of low-back pain. Bertolotti syndrome should always be included in the differential diagnosis of lower-back pain in young patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes*
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Sodium Fluoride*
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Sodium Fluoride