18F-FDG PET/CT imaging versus dynamic contrast-enhanced CT for staging and prognosis of inflammatory breast cancer

Purpose

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Locoregional staging is based on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT or MRI. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of FDG PET/CT and DCE CT in locoregional staging of IBC and to assess their respective prognostic values.

Methods

The study group comprised 50 women (median age: 51?±?11 years) followed in our institution for IBC who underwent FDG PET/CT and DCE CT scans (median interval 5?±?9 days). CT enhancement parameters were net maximal enhancement, net early enhancement and perfusion.

Results

The PET/CT scans showed intense FDG uptake in all primary tumours. Concordance rate between PET/CT and DCE CT for breast tumour localization was 92 %. No significant correlation was found between SUVmax and CT enhancement parameters in primary tumours (p?>?0.6). PET/CT and DCE CT results were poorly correlated for skin infiltration (kappa?=?0.19). Ipsilateral foci of increased axillary FDG uptake were found in 47 patients (median SUV: 7.9?±?5.4), whereas enlarged axillary lymph nodes were observed on DCE CT in 43 patients. Results for axillary node involvement were fairly well correlated (kappa?=?0.55). Nineteen patients (38 %) were found to be metastatic on PET/CT scan with a significant shorter progression-free survival than patients without distant lesions (p?=?0.01). In the primary tumour, no statistically significant difference was observed between high and moderate tumour FDG uptake on survival, using an SUVmax cut-off of 5 (p?=?0.7 and 0.9), or between high and low tumour enhancement on DCE CT (p?>?0.8).

Conclusion

FDG PET/CT imaging provided additional information concerning locoregional involvement to that provided by DCE CT on and allowed detection of distant metastases in the same whole-body procedure. Tumour FDG uptake or CT enhancement parameters were not correlated and were not found to have any prognostic value.     

18F-FDG PET/CT对非小细胞肺癌术前T及N分期的价值

目的 比较^18F—FDG PET／CT与CT在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）原发灶（T）及淋巴结（N）分期中的价值。方法 以术后病理诊断为标准，比较30例NSCLC患者^18F-FDG PET／CT与CT在T及N分期中的诊断效能。结果 ^18F—FDG PET／CT和CT在T分期中准确性分别为86．7％，73．3％（P〉0．05）；对115站胸内淋巴结的诊断灵敏度、特异性及准确性分别为68．8％，95．2％，87．8％和43．8％，88．0％，75．7％，2种方法准确性差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；对65站纵隔淋巴结诊断灵敏度、特异性、准确性分别为90．5％，97．7％，95．4％和57．1％，81．8％，73．8％，2种方法准确性差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；在N分期中准确性分别为76．7％，66．7％（P〉0．05）。结论 ^18F—FDG PET／CT融合图像较CT更有助于NSCLC术前T和N分期，尤其在纵隔淋巴结的诊断中明显优于CT。     

Complementary roles of 18F-DOPA PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in medullary thyroid cancer

Serum calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are markers of recurrent or persistent disease in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, conventional imaging often fails to localize metastatic disease. Our aim was to compare fluorine-labeled dihydroxyphenylalanine ((18)F-DOPA) and (18)F-FDG PET/CT with multidetector CT (MDCT) and MRI in recurrent or persistent MTC. METHODS: Nineteen MTC patients with increased calcitonin or CEA on follow-up (mean ± SD, 93 ± 91 mo; range, 4-300 mo) after primary therapy were prospectively imaged with 4 techniques: (18)F-DOPA PET/CT, (18)F-FDG PET/CT, MDCT, and MRI. Images were analyzed for pathologic lesions, which were surgically removed when possible. The correlation between the detection rate for each method and the calcitonin and CEA concentrations and histopathologic findings was investigated. Results: On the basis of histology and follow-up, one or more imaging methods accurately localized metastatic disease in 12 (63%) of 19 patients. The corresponding figures for (18)F-DOPA PET/CT, (18)F-FDG PET/CT, MDCT, and MRI were 11 (58%) of 19, 10 (53%) of 19, 9 (47%) of 19, and 10 (59%) of 17, respectively. Calcitonin and CEA correlated with (18)F-DOPA PET/CT (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.0263, respectively) and (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings (both P < 0.0001). In patients with an unstable calcitonin doubling time (n = 8), (18)F-DOPA and (18)F-FDG PET/CT were equally sensitive. In contrast, for patients with an unstable CEA doubling time (n = 4), (18)F-FDG PET/CT was more accurate. CONCLUSION: For most MTC patients with occult disease, (18)F-DOPA PET/CT accurately detects metastases. In patients with an unstable calcitonin level, (18)F-DOPA PET/CT and (18)F-FDG PET/CT are complementary. For patients with an unstable CEA doubling time, (18)F-FDG PET/CT may be more feasible. MRI is sensitive but has the highest rate of false-positive results.     

18F-FDG PET-CT与增强CT在胰腺病变良恶性鉴别及胰腺癌分期中的价值对比研究

目的 探讨18 F-FDG PET/CT与增强CT(CECT)在胰腺良恶性病变鉴别及胰腺癌分期中的价值.方法 回顾性分析治疗前在我院行CECT和PET/CT检查的胰腺病例(时间间隔≤2周),并以病理及临床影像随访结果作为金标准,比较CECT、PET/CT对胰腺病变良恶性鉴别诊断以及胰腺癌TNM分期的灵敏度、特异度及准确率.结果 共入选病例68例,其中男43例,女25例,恶性48例,良性20例.良性病变组SUVmax平均5.06(范围1.10～29.10),恶性病变组SUVmax平均7.80(范围1.60～17.60).CECT与最终诊断有中度一致(κ=0.414,P＜0.05);PET/CT与最终诊断有较高度的一致性(κ=0.677,P ＜0.05).术前CECT和PET/CT诊断胰周血管侵犯的灵敏度、特异度、准确率分别为(92.9％、93.3％、93.1％)vs(21.4％、93.3％、58.6％).CECT和PET/CT诊断区域淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异度、准确率分别为(64.7％、91.7％、75.9％)vs(76.5％、83.3％、79.3％).CECT和PET/ CT诊断远处转移的灵敏度、特异度、准确率分别为(58.8％,100％,85.4％)vs(88.2％,96.8％,93.7％).结论 PET/CT在胰腺恶变的诊断中具有更高的敏感性和特异性,对远处转移的有更高的敏感性;而CECT可以精确地显示肿瘤与血管的关系、对远处转移的有更高的特异性,两者各有优势不能相互取代,临床工作中需要我们根据患者的实际情况合理选择,必要时联合应用,更好地发挥它们的优势.     

18F-FDG hPET/CT显像在非小细胞肺癌临床分期中的应用

目的探讨^18F-脱氧葡萄糖hPET/CT（^18F-FDG hPET/CT）显像在非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）临床分期中的应用价值。方法72例NSCLC患者于放疗前行^18F-FDG hPET/CT显像检查,进行FDG分期,并将FDG分期和CT分期结果进行比较分析。结果^18F-FDG hPET/CT显像使27例NSCLC患者分期改变,其中分期升级20例,分期降级7例。14例分期升级者^18F-FDG hPET/CT显像检查发现了远处转移灶,其治疗方案由根治性治疗改为姑息性治疗。FDG显像较CT多发现了47个转移淋巴结,并对其进行了放疗;多发现了26个远处转移灶,并对其进行了姑息性放疗。结论^18F-FDG hPET/CT显像改变了37．5％（27／72）NSCLC患者的临床分期,影响了其治疗策略及放疗计划,使得治疗更加合理。     

Imaging of proliferation with 18F-FLT PET/CT versus 18F-FDG PET/CT in non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose  

To compare the diagnostic efficacies of ¹⁸F-FLT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on the correlation between FLT and FDG tumour uptake and tumour cell proliferation as indicated by the cyclin D1 labelling index.     

18F-FDG PET/CT在鼻咽癌颈部淋巴结转移分期中的作用

目的 探讨18F-FDG PET/CT在鼻咽癌患者颈部淋巴结转移分期中的作用.方法 按前瞻性设计研究方案,纳入2009年3月至2010年11月病理确诊为鼻咽癌的初治患者62例,其中男48例,女14例,中位年龄43岁.患者放疗前1周内行CT或MRI检查并进行AJCC分期,然后行18FFDG PET/CT检查后再次分期.以治疗后随访6个月以上结果为标准,评价2种检查方法进行N分期的准确性.分析PET/CT N分期对治疗方案的影响,并计算Kappa值,进行一致性检验,率的比较采用x2检验.结果 62例患者中,N0 9例,N1 16例,N2 24例,N3 13例.18F-FDG PET/CT N分期准确性为96.8％(60/62),与实际N分期一致性检验Kappa值为0.955;CT或MRI N分期准确性为72.7％(45/62),Kappa值为0.607.30.6％(19/62)患者PET/CT与CT或MRI N分期不一致,随访证实PET/CT正确改变了27.4％(17/62)患者的N分期;其中l例从N0提高至N2,由根治性放疗改为放化疗综合治疗,另16例改变了转移淋巴结GTV的勾画和照射剂量.PET/CT咽后淋巴结检出率为54.8％(34/62),其灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为80.0％ (20/25)、94.4％(17/18)和86.0％(37/43).比较43例同时有MRI和PET/CT检查结果的患者资料,两者对咽后淋巴结的检出率分别为60.5％(26/43)和55.8％ (24/43),差异无统计学意义(x2=2.000,P＞0.05).结论 18F-FDGPET/CT较常规CT或MRI对鼻咽癌N分期的准确性高,且能较好地显示咽后淋巴结,在定性较小淋巴结方面有一定优势.     

18F-FLT和18F-FDG PET/CT对胸段食管癌淋巴结分期诊断的对比研究

目的 评价18F-脱氧胸苷（FLT）PET/CT对未经治疗的胸段食管癌淋巴结分期诊断的价值,并与18F-脱氧葡萄糖（FDG）PET/CT进行比较.方法 选择22例拟行手术治疗的胸段食管癌患者,术前行双显像剂PET/CT检查及淋巴结分期诊断,术后以病理学诊断为＂金标准＂,比较18F-FLT和18F-FDG PET/CT对胸段食管癌淋巴结分期的灵敏度、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值.应用SPSS 13.0软件进行x2检验.结果 患者均行食管癌切除和淋巴结清扫术,病理检查结果显示16例患者存在淋巴结转移,N0期7例,N1期15例,M1a期6例（其中1例为N0M1a,另外5例为N1M1a）,全组均无M1b期.共检出424枚淋巴结,其中47枚为转移淋巴结.18F-FDG PET/CT诊断呈假阳性的淋巴结14枚,而18F-FLT诊断呈假阳性的淋巴结为3枚;18F-FDG假阴性的淋巴结8枚,18F-FLT假阴性的淋巴结12枚.18F-FLT PET/CT的诊断灵敏度、特异性、准确性、阴性预测值和阳性预测值分别为74.47%（35/47）、99.20%（374/377）、96.46%（409/424）、96.89%（374/386）和92.11%（35/38）,18F-FDG分别为82.98%（39/47）、96.29%（363/377）、94.81%（402/424）、97.84%（363/371）和73.58%（39/53）;两者比较的x2值分别为0.572,6.018,1.017,0.348,3.852,P值分别＞0.05,＜0.05、＞0.05、＞0.05和＞0.05.结论 18F-FLT对食管癌区域淋巴结的诊断灵敏度与18F-FDG显像接近,特异性高于18F-FDG,但仍存在一定的局限性.     

18F-FDG PET/CT of thymic epithelial tumors: usefulness for distinguishing and staging tumor subgroups.

The purpose of our study was to assess the usefulness of integrated PET/CT using 18F-FDG for distinguishing thymic epithelial tumors according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (age range, 34-68 y; mean age, 54.6 y) with thymic epithelial tumors, who underwent both integrated PET/CT and enhanced CT, were included. The clinicopathologic stages, maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs), and uptake patterns of tumors on integrated PET/CT images, and various enhanced CT findings, are described according to the simplified (low-risk [types A, AB, and B1] and high-risk [types B2 and B3] thymomas and thymic carcinomas) subgroups of the WHO classification. Discriminant analysis was performed to determine the relative capabilities of integrated PET/CT and enhanced CT findings to differentiate tumor subgroups. RESULTS: Tumors included 8 low-risk thymomas, 9 high-risk thymomas, and 16 thymic carcinomas. The maximum SUVs of high-risk thymomas (P < 0.001) and low-risk thymomas (P < 0.001) were found to be significantly lower than those of thymic carcinomas. Homogeneous 18F-FDG uptake within tumors was more frequently seen in thymic carcinomas than in high-risk thymomas (P = 0.027) or low-risk thymomas (P = 0.001). The uptake pattern (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous) on integrated PET/CT images and the presence of mediastinal fat invasion on enhanced CT images were found to be useful for differentiating tumor subgroups. In addition, integrated PET/CT helped detect lymph node metastases, which were not identified on enhanced CT in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Integrated PET/CT was found to be useful for differentiating subgroups of thymic epithelial tumors and for staging the extent of the disease.     

18F-FDG PET/CT在宫颈癌诊断中的应用

目的 探讨18F-脱氧葡萄糖(FDG) PET/CT在宫颈癌诊断及其复发、转移灶探测中的应用价值.方法 88例患者行腹部或全身18F-FDG PET/CT显像,其中初诊者30例(宫颈良性病变11例,宫颈癌19例),宫颈癌治疗后58例.病灶根据病理检查、多种影像诊断技术及临床随访确诊,随访时间均为6个月～3年.结果 30例初诊者中,PET/CT诊断宫颈癌的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为17/19,10/11和27/30(90.0%).58例治疗后患者中,11例存在肿瘤复发或残余,PET/CT诊断肿瘤复发、残余的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为10/11,47/47(100.0%)和57/58(98.3%).41例有肿瘤转移,PET/CT诊断转移灶的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为92.7%,88.9%和90.9%;转移灶以盆腹腔淋巴结为主,39.0%有盆腔淋巴结转移,27.3%有腹膜后淋巴结转移,所有淋巴结转移患者中PET/CT发现26.8%病灶直径＜1.0cm.28.6%(22/77)的患者PET/CT发现腹腔外远处转移灶.18例输尿管梗阻患者中,16例PET/CT发现为肿瘤侵犯压迫所致.结论 18F-FDG PET/CT显像在宫颈癌的诊断及其复发、转移灶探测中有良好的应用价值,尤其是对远处转移灶和小淋巴结转移灶的检测,可使临床分期更准确.     

18F-FDG PET/CT of cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: This article outlines the role of FDG PET/CT in patients with cervical carcinoma for evaluating tumor extent, assessing treatment response, and detecting disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: There is increasing evidence that FDG PET/CT has a role in the primary evaluation of cervical carcinoma-in particular, for evaluating lymph node status and distant metastatic disease. PET/CT is also helpful to determine prognosis, assess treatment response, and evaluate disease recurrence.     

18F-FDG PET/CT delayed images after diuretic for restaging invasive bladder cancer.

PET with (18)F-FDG has been considered of limited value for detection of bladder cancer because of the urinary excretion of the tracer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of PET/CT in the detection and restaging of bladder cancer using furosemide and oral hydration to remove the excreted (18)F-FDG from the bladder. METHODS: Seventeen patients with bladder cancer (11 without cystectomy, 6 with total cystectomy and urinary diversion) underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT from head to the upper thighs 60 min after the intravenous injection of 370 MBq of (18)F-FDG. Additional pelvic images were acquired 1 h after the intravenous injection of furosemide and oral hydration. PET/CT findings were confirmed by MRI, cystoscopy, or biopsy. RESULTS: PET/CT was able to detect bladder lesions in 6 of 11 patients who had not undergone cystectomy. These images changed the PET/CT final reading in 7 patients: Recurrent bladder lesions were detected in 6 patients, pelvic lymph node metastases in 2 patients, and prostate metastasis in 1. This technique overcame the difficulties posed by the urinary excretion of (18)F-FDG. Hypermetabolic lesions could be easily detected by PET and precisely localized in the bladder wall, pelvic lymph nodes, or prostate by CT. Seven of 17 patients (41%) were upstaged only after delayed pelvic images. CONCLUSION: Detection of locally recurrent or residual bladder tumors can be dramatically improved using (18)F-FDG PET/CT with delayed images after a diuretic and oral hydration.     

Impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on the staging and management of follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma. Despite the evidence-based utilization of fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET)/CT in aggressive lymphomas, the utility of PET in FL remains controversial and varies across different jurisdictions. The management of patients with FL differs from aggressive lymphomas and is usually reserved for patients with localized disease in whom long-term control may potentially be achieved by involved field radiotherapy, or for symptomatic patients with advanced-stage disease in whom systemic therapy is indicated. There is a growing body of literature supporting the use of PET/CT in initial staging of FL to guide management decisions. In this review, we summarize the existing literature and present cases from our experience to illustrate current knowledge on the potential role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in FL.Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most common form of non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma accounting for 20–25% of adult non-Hodgkin''s lymphomas worldwide and is the most common low-grade lymphoma. It has a variable course, usually indolent, with some patients experiencing a complete response, while others relapse or transform to aggressive lymphoma. Up to 23% may spontaneously regress.¹ Treatment varies depending on the stage and clinical presentation. Durable remissions have been attained in 30–35% of patients with early (Stages I–II) FL treated with involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) alone; however, more extensive disease in the absence of B symptoms would be better managed with watchful waiting.² Therefore, accurate staging is crucial for appropriate management.Although the impact of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT on the staging and assessment of treatment response in potentially curable, high-grade lymphomas is well established, its role in indolent, low-grade disease such as FL is more controversial.³ This is owing to the biological behaviour of the tumour and the treatment algorithm, which is limited to localized or systemic symptomatic disease. Furthermore, the correlation between response to therapy and overall survival in FL is not as strong as for aggressive lymphoma.In this pictorial review, we present the available evidence in the literature for the use of PET/CT in FL and provide multiple case examples illustrating the significant impact of PET/CT findings on therapy planning and patient management.     

Fusion of PET and MRI for staging of uterine cervical cancer: comparison with contrast-enhanced 18F-FDG PET/CT and pelvic MRI

PurposeTo investigate the fusion of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) for assessment of locoregional extension and nodal staging of cervical cancer.MethodsPET/computed tomography (CT), MRI, and non-fused and fusion of PET and MRI for assessing the extent of the primary tumor and metastasis to nodes were evaluated.ResultsAccuracy for T-status was 83.3% for fused and non-fused PET/MRI and MRI proved significantly more accurate than PET/CT (53.3%) (P= .0077). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for nodal metastasis were 92.3%, 88.2%, and 90.0% for fused PET/MRI and PET/contrast-enhanced CT; 84.6%, 94.1%, and 90.0% for non-fused PET/MRI; and 69.2%, 100%, and 86.7% for MRI.ConclusionFused PET/MRI combines the individual advantages of MRI and PET.     

肺癌术前18F-FDG PET/CT对纵隔淋巴结外科分期的临床价值

目的 探讨肺癌术前18F-FDG PET/CT对纵隔淋巴结转移外科分期的诊断价值.方法 回顾分析68例肺癌患者术前18F-FDG PET/CT及CT对纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断及分期结果,并与术后病理结果对照.统计学分析采用x2检验和t检验.结果 68例患者共切除纵隔淋巴结222枚,其中84枚(37.8％)病理检查证实为转移.18F-FDG PET/CT与CT诊断纵隔淋巴结转移的灵敏度、特异性、准确性、阳性及阴性预测值分别为71.4％(60/84)、66.7％(92/138)、68.5％(152/222)、56.6％(60/106)、79.3％(92/116)与48.8％(41/84)、49.3％(68/138)、49.1％(109/222)、36.9％(41/111)、61.3％(68/111),差异均有统计学意义(x2=8.96、8.57、17.19、8.43及8.88,P均＜0.05);18F-FDG PET/CT与CT对纵隔淋巴结的分期与病理分期的一致率分别为73.5％(50/68)及41.2％(28/68),差异有统计学意义(x2=14.55,P＜0.01);其中18F-FDG PET/CT对N1及N2期淋巴结诊断的准确性分别为66.7％ (10/15)和79.2％ (19/24),明显高于CT的13.3％ (2/15)和45.8％(11/24)x2=8.89和5.69,P均＜0.05.淋巴结短径≥10 mm组SUVmax明显高于短径＜10 mm组(5.5±2.8与2.2±0.9,t=5.17,P＜0.05).结论 术前18F-FDG PET/CT对肺癌纵隔淋巴结的诊断和分期优于CT,其对适宜手术病例优化治疗决策具有临床指导意义.