Systematic Review: Radiotracer Benefit in Pediatric Bone Metastases

This report presents a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effectiveness of radiotracers in detecting bone metastases in pediatric patients with neuroblastoma. The study analyzed data from various databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library, comparing the diagnostic accuracy of different radiotracers such as TC-99m MDP bone scintigraphy, FDG PET, and 18F-NaF PET. The results indicated that 18F-NaF PET demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity compared to other imaging techniques, making it the best choice for diagnosing bone metastases. The review included detailed methodologies, results, and conclusions, emphasizing the importance of early detection for improved patient outcomes and recommending 18F-NaF as the optimal imaging approach. The study also highlighted the varying diagnostic accuracy of different methods and tracers, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape in this critical area of pediatric oncology.