[Metabolic imaging--PET, PET/CT--in oncologic surgery]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• PET/CT availability has increased significantly in Hungary.
• Approximately 10,000 PET/CT examinations are performed annually, funded by the national healthcare system.
• FDG-PET/CT is recognized for its high sensitivity and specificity in tumor diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the most common indications for PET/CT examinations.
• To highlight the relevance of PET/CT in surgical practice.
• To assess the overall applicability of PET/CT.

Main Methods:

• Review of frequent PET/CT indications.
• Focus on applications relevant to surgical practice.
• Consideration of the technique's applicability.

Main Results:

• PET/CT is a valuable and cost-beneficial diagnostic tool when used appropriately.
• The technique demonstrates outstanding sensitivity and specificity for tumor diagnosis.
• Specific indications relevant to surgical practice were identified.

Conclusions:

• PET/CT is an efficient diagnostic method with improved availability in Hungary.
• Clinicians must understand PET/CT's advantages and limitations for optimal use.
• The review provides insights into PET/CT's role, particularly in surgical contexts.