PET/CT without capacity limitations: a Danish experience from a European perspective
Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen1, Oke Gerke, Mie Holm Vilstrup
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET & Cyclotron Unit, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark. pfhc@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
European Radiology
|January 29, 2011
Summary
Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) use increased significantly over three years, impacting patient diagnosis and treatment plans in 36% of cases. This reflects a growing trend towards functional imaging in oncology and other fields.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- A new Danish PET/CT center's clinical experience over three years is presented.
- The study contextualizes this experience within national and European trends in PET/CT utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of PET/CT on patient management.
- To compare the center's PET/CT usage with national and European trends.
- To assess changes in diagnosis, staging, and treatment plans due to PET/CT.
Main Methods:
- Prospective registration of PET/CT use in cancer patients from early 2006 to early 2009.
- Data collection included referral sources, indications, and user-reported changes in patient management.
- Comparison of usage trends with national and European data.
Main Results:
- 6056 PET/CT examinations were performed in 4327 patients.
- Referrals predominantly came from oncology, hematology, surgery, and internal medicine.
- PET/CT led to changes in diagnosis, staging, or treatment in 36.0% of cases, with a steady monthly increase in examinations.
Conclusions:
- PET/CT utilization showed a consistent increase, significantly influencing patient management decisions.
- The findings align with national and European trends, suggesting a shift towards functional imaging modalities like PET/CT over purely anatomical imaging.
