Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: The Value of Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography and Conventional Computerized Tomography (SPECT/CT)

Patellofemoral joint pain is the most common problem involving the knee, affecting 25% of the general population [1–8]. Many cases of anterior knee pain are diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, a largely idiopathic chronic pain disorder characterized by a gradual onset of poorly localized pain in the anterior aspect of the knee aggravated by activities such as squatting, stair climbing and descent or prolonged sitting with the knee bent [9]. The causes of patellofemoral joint pain are versatile including chondral lesions of the patellofemoral joint, patellofemoral malalignment, medial patellar plica, patellar and/or quadriceps tendinopathy, supra- and infra-patellar fat pad lesions or postoperative conditions [4–6, 10, 11]. The diagnosis is based on the clinical history and the exclusion of other causes of anterior knee pain [1, 12]. Therefore, patellofemoral pain syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion and can present a great diagnostic challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon [8].