Advances in Imaging for Diagnosis of Spinal Chronic Pain

Dr. Chih-Peng Lin speaks on advanced imaging modalities for diagnosing and treating chronic spinal pain. Dr Lin, with over 15 years of experience in interventional pain management, discusses the integration of various imaging techniques like ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and electrosimulation in daily practice. The focus is on the use of hybrid imaging, particularly SPECT CT (single-photon emission computed tomography) and PET CT/MRI (positron emission tomography), for diagnosing spinal conditions. The presentation highlights how these advanced imaging techniques combine metabolic and anatomical data to identify active pain generators, which can be challenging with traditional methods. The speaker emphasizes the role of hybrid imaging in detecting occult fractures, stress fractures, spondylolysis, and infectious or inflammatory processes like spondylodiscitis. He also touches on post-surgical evaluation using these methods. Additionally, Dr. Lin shares insights from personal experience, including the use of a hybrid OR for complex metastatic lesion ablation and targeted interventions for cancer pain. The talk concludes with practical applications of these advanced imaging modalities in daily practice, showcasing their impact on improving pain management outcomes.