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Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
10:02

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)

Published on: May 2, 2012

Time-to-time correlation of high-risk atherosclerotic lesions identified with [(18)F]-FDG-PET/CT

Johan Wassélius1, Stig Larsson, Hans Jacobsson

  • 1Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. johan.wasselius@karolinska.se

Annals of Nuclear Medicine
|February 12, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Consecutive [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans reliably identify atherosclerotic plaques. This imaging technique shows high consistency in detecting active, FDG-accumulating plaques over time.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) identifies macrophage-rich, high-risk atherosclerotic plaques.
  • The longitudinal behavior of these inflamed plaques remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the variability of FDG-accumulating atherosclerotic plaques between serial PET/CT examinations.
  • To evaluate the consistency of plaque identification over time.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-eight patients with malignant diseases underwent two whole-body FDG-PET/CT scans within 7 months.
  • Atherosclerotic lesions in major arteries were analyzed, classifying plaques as active, inactive, or mixed.
  • Plaque identification consistency was evaluated between the two examinations.

Main Results:

  • A close to 100% time-to-time correlation was observed for calcified, inactive plaques.
  • Approximately 50% correlation was found for FDG-accumulating, active plaques.
  • High consistency in plaque identification was noted across all examined arterial segments.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of FDG-accumulating plaques are consistently identifiable on serial FDG-PET/CT scans within a 7-month interval.
  • FDG-PET/CT demonstrates reliability in tracking changes in atherosclerotic plaque activity over time.

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