(11)C]Choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging and restaging of patients with advanced prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate [(11)C]Choline positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for staging and restaging of patients with advanced prostate cancer and to compare the diagnostic performance of PET, CT and PET/CT. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients with advanced prostate cancer underwent [(11)C]Choline-PET/CT between 5/2004 and 2/2006. RESULTS: Overall, 295 lesions were detected: PET alone, 178 lesions; diagnostic CT, 221 lesions; PET/CT (low-dose CT), 272 lesions; PET/CT (diagnostic CT), 295 lesions. Two thirds of the lesions were located in the bone; one third in the prostate, lymph nodes, periprostatic tissue and soft tissue (lung, liver). The use of diagnostic CT did not result in a statistically significant difference with respect to lesion localization certainty and lesion characterization (P=.063, P=.063). PET-negative but PET/CT-positive lesions were mostly localized in the bone (78%, 91/117) as were PET-positive and CT-negative lesions (72%, 53/74). Of the latter, 91% (48/53) represented bone marrow and 9% (5/53) cortical involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Staging and restaging with [(11)C]Choline PET/CT in patients with advanced prostate cancer improve the assessment of local and regional recurrent as well as metastatic disease including skeletal manifestations. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT (with a low-dose CT) results in improved localization and lesion characterization. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT provides an added value for skeletal manifestations. [(11)C]Choline PET/CT changed disease management in 11 (24%) of 45 patients with advanced prostate cancer.     

Role of 11C-choline PET/CT in the re-staging of prostate cancer patients with biochemical relapse and negative results at bone scintigraphy

Aim

to evaluate the utility of ¹¹C-choline PET/CT in prostate cancer (PC) patients who have demonstrated a biochemical recurrence and a negative bone scintigraphy (BS).

Materials and methods

123 consecutive PC patients (mean age 67.6 years; range 54–83) with a biochemical relapse (mean PSA value 3.3 ng/mL; range 0.2–25.5) after radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in our retrospective study. Patients underwent a BS that resulted negative and a ¹¹C-choline PET/CT within 4 months from BS (range: 1 day to 4 months; mean: 2.5 months). Validation of results was established by: (1) a positive biopsy, (2) a positive subsequent BS, CT or MR and (3) a normalization of ¹¹C-choline uptake after systemic therapy or a progression of the disease.

Results

¹¹C-choline PET/CT was positive in 42/123 patients (34.1%). ¹¹C-choline PET/CT detected lesions in: bone (10 patients), lymph-nodes (20 patients), bone and lymph nodes (7 patients), bone and lung (1 patient), lymph-nodes and lung (1 patient), local relapse (3 patients). Overall, ¹¹C-choline PET/CT showed a total of 30 unknown bone lesions in 18/123 (14.6%) patients.

Conclusion

¹¹C-choline PET/CT showed a better sensitivity than BS in patients with biochemical relapse after RP: ¹¹C-choline PET/CT detected unknown bone lesions in 18/123 (14.6%) patients.     

11C-胆碱和18F-FDG在肿瘤PET中的比较

11C-胆碱是最近研制的一种正电子肿瘤阳性显像剂,在肿瘤/非靶组织的比值高于18F-FDG,特别在脑肿瘤和前列腺癌显像方面较18F-FDG显示出优势.11C-胆碱和18F-FDG在脑肿瘤、肺癌、食道癌和前列腺癌的诊断方面各有优劣,两者的摄取机理与显像方法也不同.除了11C-胆碱,还有18F-氟代胆碱(18F-fluorocholine),其临床价值有待更多的研究来证实.     

Prospective comparison of computed tomography,diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and [11C]choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography for preoperative lymph node staging in prostate cancer patients

Purpose

The aim of this study was to prospectively compare diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and [¹¹C]choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with computed tomography (CT) for preoperative lymph node (LN) staging in prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Methods

Between June 2010 and May 2012, CT, DWI and [¹¹C]choline PET/CT were performed preoperatively in 33 intermediate- and high-risk PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) including obturator fossa and internal, external and common iliac fields. Patient- and field-based performance characteristics for all three imaging techniques based on histopathological results are reported. Imaging techniques were compared by means of the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

LN metastases were detected in 92 of 1,012 (9 %) LNs from 14 of 33 (42 %) patients. On patient-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for CT were 57, 68 and 64 %, respectively, for DWI were 57, 79 and 70 %, respectively, and for [¹¹C]choline PET/CT were 57, 90 and 76 %, respectively. On field-based analysis, these numbers for CT were 47, 94 and 88 %, respectively, for DWI were 56, 97 and 92 %, respectively, and for [¹¹C]choline PET/CT were 62, 96 and 92 %, respectively. Neither DWI nor [¹¹C]choline PET/CT performed significantly better than CT on pairwise comparison of patient- and field-based results.

Conclusion

All three imaging techniques exhibit a rather low sensitivity with less than two thirds of LN metastases being detected on patient- and field-based analysis. Overall diagnostic efficacy did not differ significantly between imaging techniques, whereas distinct performance characteristics, esp. patient-based specificity, were best for [¹¹C]choline PET/CT followed by DWI and CT.     

The role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in radiation therapy planning for patients with lung cancer

Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has rapidly assumed a critical role in the management of patients with locoregionally advanced lung cancers who are candidates for definitive radiation therapy (RT). Definitive RT is given with curative intent, but can only be successful in patients without distant metastasis and if all gross tumor is contained within the treated volume. An increasing body of evidence supports the use of PET-based imaging for selection of patients for both surgery and definitive RT. Similarly, the use of PET/CT images for accurate target volume definition in lung cancer is a dynamic area of research. Most available evidence on PET staging of lung cancer relates to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In general clinical use, (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is the primary radiopharmaceutical useful in NSCLC. Other tracers, including proliferation markers and hypoxia tracers, may have significant roles in future. Much of the FDG-PET literature describing the impact of PET on actual patient management has concerned candidates for surgical resection. In the few prospective studies where PET was used for staging and patient selection in NSCLC candidates for definitive RT, 25%-30% of patients were denied definitive RT, generally because PET detected unsuspected advanced locoregional or distant metastatic disease. PET/CT and CT findings are often discordant in NSCLC but studies with clinical-pathological correlation always show that PET-assisted staging is more accurate than conventional assessment. In all studies in which "PET-defined" and "non-PET-defined" RT target volumes were compared, there were major differences between PET and non-PET volumes. Therefore, in cases where PET-assisted and non-PET staging are different and biopsy confirmation is unavailable, it is rational to use the most accurate modality (namely PET/CT) to define the target volume. The use of PET/CT in patient selection and target volume definition is likely to lead to improvements in outcome for patients with NSCLC.     

Experience with carbon-11 choline positron emission tomography in prostate carcinoma

We investigated the potential of carbon-11 choline positron emission tomography (PET) for the detection of lymph node and bone metastases in prostate cancer. A total of 23 patients were studied (known metastases: 8; suspicion of metastases: 3; primary staging: 12). Whole-body PET imaging was performed 5 min after injection of the tracer and completed within 1 h. Focally increased tracer uptake in bone or abdominal lymph node regions was interpreted as representing tumour involvement. All known bone and lymph node metastases could be recognized by [¹¹C]choline PET. One out of ten negative scans for primary staging was false-negative (lymph node <1 cm) and one out of two positive scans was false-positive with regard to lymph node involvement (focal bowel activity). It is concluded that [¹¹C]choline PET is a promising new tool for the primary staging of prostate cancer, with lymph node and bone metastases demonstrating high tracer uptake. Therapeutic management could be influenced by these results in that the technique may permit avoidance of surgical lymph node exploration.     

Experience with carbon-11 choline positron emission tomography in prostate carcinoma

We investigated the potential of carbon-11 choline positron emission tomography (PET) for the detection of lymph node and bone metastases in prostate cancer. A total of 23 patients were studied (known metastases: 8; suspicion of metastases: 3; primary staging: 12). Whole-body PET imaging was performed 5 min after injection of the tracer and completed within 1 h. Focally increased tracer uptake in bone or abdominal lymph node regions was interpreted as representing tumour involvement. All known bone and lymph node metastases could be recognized by [11C]choline PET. One out of ten negative scans for primary staging was false-negative (lymph node <1 cm) and one out of two positive scans was false-positive with regard to lymph node involvement (focal bowel activity). It is concluded that [11C]choline PET is a promising new tool for the primary staging of prostate cancer, with lymph node and bone metastases demonstrating high tracer uptake. Therapeutic management could be influenced by these results in that the technique may permit avoidance of surgical lymph node exploration.     

Prevalence and risk of cancer of incidental uptake in prostate identified by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography

ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate the prevalence of incidental fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in positron emission tomography/computed tomography.MethodsA total of 11,239 male nonprostate disease patients were included retrospectively.ResultsThe prevalence of incidental prostate FDG uptake was approximately 1.8%. Among 198 incidental lesions, 100 patients had further examinations; 20 lesions were confirmed to be malignant, while 80 lesions were benign. After logistic regression analysis, age, site, and the maximum standard uptake value were the potent predictors for differentiation of malignant prostate lesions.ConclusionWhen focal FDG uptake in the peripheral zone of prostate is detected, especially in elderly men, further clinical evaluation is recommended.     

Depiction of celiac ganglia on positron emission tomography and computed tomography in patients with lung cancer

ObjectiveTo differentiate imaging characteristics of celiac ganglia from metastatic lesion on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with lung cancer and correlate these findings to postmortem multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).MethodsOne hundred twenty-nine patients were included. Imaging characteristics and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avidity of the celiac ganglia were recorded. Postmortem MDCT of 20 subjects were reviewed.ResultsCeliac ganglia were identified unilaterally in 127 and bilaterally in 108 patients without abnormal FDG uptake. Postmortem images showed celiac ganglia in all cases with no significant difference compared to our patients.ConclusionsFamiliarity with CT characteristics and FDG-avidity of celiac ganglia enable us to distinguish them from metastatic lesions in their vicinity.     

Carbon-11 acetate positron emission tomography can detect local recurrence of prostate cancer

We investigated the potential of [(11)C]acetate positron emission tomography (PET) to detect local recurrence in prostate cancer (PCA) in patients with increasing PSA following complete prostatectomy. A total of 31 patients were studied and compared with the results of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) combined with biopsy and clinical follow-up. Whole-body PET scan was performed 5 min after injection of 0.8 GBq [(11)C]acetate and completed within 1 h. Focally increased tracer uptake below the urinary bladder or in an abdominal lymph node region was considered as relapse. TRUS followed by biopsy verified recurrence in 18 patients and ruled it out in 13 patients. PET demonstrated local recurrence in 15 out of the aforementioned 18 patients. PET also demonstrated distant lymph node involvement and bone metastases in five patients each. No focal [(11)C]acetate uptake was demonstrated in the prostate bed in patients with negative biopsy. These patients had no evidence of disease during 6 months of follow-up. In the subgroup of patients with PSA <2.0 ng/ml ( n=8), five patients had positive PET findings, with four of them verified by biopsy. It is concluded that [(11)C]acetate PET is a promising new tool for the diagnosis of PCA recurrence and can influence patient management.     

Integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: normal variants and pitfalls

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate a spectrum of normal variants and potential pitfalls in integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging in the evaluation of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Knowledge of the normal variants and potential pitfalls in PET/CT imaging as well as patients' clinical histories, together with the use of CT to localize foci of increased tracer uptake accurately, is useful in preventing misinterpretation.     

Synergistic value of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion to radioimmunoscintigraphic imaging of prostate cancer

The rationale on which positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is based, combining the functional features of PET with the anatomic detail of CT, provides many advantages that are easily transferable to single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT imaging. Our efforts have focused on applying fused SPECT/CT imaging to identify prostate cancer and its metastasis and recurrence through radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS). This application of RIS to imaging prostate cancer requires 2 key components: (1) a well-defined target associated with the cancer and (2) a "magic bullet" to seek that target. A well-characterized RIS target for prostate cancer is prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA, and finding the bullet to seek this target with high sensitivity and specificity has been the focus of intensive study for nearly two decades. One of the candidate bullets developed is capromab pendetide, which is a monoclonal antibody that seeks PSMA. This antibody is commercially available as ProstaScint, which can be labeled with indium-111 to localize prostate cancer via SPECT imaging. In the course of applying fused SPECT/CT ProstaScint imaging to more than 800 prostate cancer cases, numerous refinements to our protocol have evolved that are aimed at staging the cancer with utmost accuracy. In addition to optimizing the localization of prostate cancer and its metastasis, these refinements also have been extended toward guiding both the implantation of radioactive seeds in brachytherapy and in other types of radiation therapy which is illustrated through 5 case reports. Progress in the therapeutic targeting of PSMA is also being actively explored, which has more universal ramifications because PSMA is found in the neovasculature of other types of cancers.     

Effect of oral contrast agents on computed tomography-based positron emission tomography attenuation correction in dual-modality positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of iodine- and barium-based contrast agents on the computed tomography (CT)-based positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction in dual-modality PET/CT. METHODS: Experiments were conducted on a Society of Nuclear Medicine/National Electrical Manufacturers Association-PET phantom equipped with cylinders containing [18F]-2-fluoro-2-desoxy-D-glucose. The main compartment was filled with iodine (0.5-10%), barium (0.5-50%), or water (negative control). The error in attenuation correction was determined by comparison of measured tracer quantities in the presence of contrast agents with expected quantities. Contrast agent attenuation was demonstrated to be comparable to in vivo conditions. RESULTS: The presence of contrast agents resulted in an overestimation of the intracylindrical activity concentration on PET images and overestimation directly related to contrast concentrations (iodine 5-38%; barium 15-580%). Iodine and barium concentrations in clinical use resulted in an activity overestimation of 20 +/- 1.8% for iodine and 21 +/- 2.9% for barium. CONCLUSION: An overestimation of the tracer activity concentration is to be expected in the presence of oral contrast agents, if PET attenuation correction is attained CT-based.     

Single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography evaluations of patients with central motor disorders

Neuroimaging biomarkers in movement disorders during the past decade have served as diagnostic agents (Europe), tools for evaluation of novel therapeutics, and a powerful means for describing pathophysiology by revealing in vivo changes at different stages of disease and within the course of an individual patient's illness. As imaging with agents tracking dopaminergic function become more available, the next decade promises to enhance our clinical sophistication in the optimal use of dopaminergic imaging biomarkers for differential diagnosis, characterization of at-risk populations, guiding selection and management of appropriate treatments. The clinical role of these agents as clinical tools goes hand in hand with the development and availability of disease-modifying drugs, which carry the additional requirement for early and accurate diagnosis and improved clinical monitoring once treatment is initiated. Challenges remain in the ideal application of neuroimaging in the clinical algorithms for patient assessment and management. Further, the application of imaging to other targets, both monamineric and nonmonoaminergic, could serve a function beyond the important delineation of pathologic change occurring in patients with Parkinson's disease to suggest some role in improved phenotyping and classification of patients with Parkinson's disease presenting with different symptom clusters. New areas of focus based on the elucidation of mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level, including intense interest in alpha-synuclein and other protein inclusions in neurons and glia, have piqued interest in their in vivo assessment using scinitigraphic methods. Perhaps ultimately, treatment that is targeted to a better delineated pathophysiology-based characterization of movement disorder patients will emerge. The application of neuroimaging biomarkers to multiple ends in movement disorders provides an important model for the multiple roles diagnostic imaging agents can serve in neurodegenerative disorders; for diagnosis, for elaborating pathophysiology in patient populations, for developing new drugs, ultimately for improving clinical management.     

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A diagnostic imaging modality in renal cancer patients

Purpose

The aim of this study is to clarify the role of 18-F-FDG PET/CT over CT alone in the detection of primary, recurrent and metastatic disease in renal cancers patients.

Role of carcinoembryonic antigen, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with suspected local recurrence of colorectal cancer

The role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) in detection of local recurrence of colorectal cancer is evaluated in 71 patients, selected due to suspected relapse at CT follow-up. Recurrence was confirmed by histology in 18 cases and excluded in 25 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were as follows: 44.4%, 92.5%, 66.7%, 83.1%, and 80.3% for CEA; 88.9%, 73.6%, 53.3%, 95.1%, and 77.5% for MRI; and 94.4%, 73.6%, 54.8%, 97.5%, and 78.9% for PET-CT. A diagnostic protocol integrating CEA and dedicated imaging studies is to be advocated.     

Preliminary clinical assessment of dynamic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for evaluating lymph node metastasis in patients with lung cancer: a prospective study

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - We assessed the diagnostic capacity of dynamic fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and dual-time-point...