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Normal conus medullaris FDG uptake in children
Adina L Alazraki1, Stephen F Simoneaux, J Bradley Wyly
1Department of Radiology, Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Decatur, GA 30322, USA. adina.alazraki@choa.org
Pediatric Radiology
|May 20, 2011
Summary
Low-level fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 (18F-FDG) uptake in the conus medullaris is common in children. This normal finding on PET/CT scans should not be mistaken for central nervous system (CNS) metastatic disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nuclear Medicine
- Neuroimaging
- Oncology
Background:
- 18F-FDG biodistribution is established in adults and children.
- Pediatric-specific findings require dedicated understanding for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify normal 18F-FDG uptake in the pediatric conus medullaris.
- Establish baseline values for conus medullaris uptake on FDG PET/CT in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 100 pediatric 18F-FDG PET/CT scans.
- Objective evaluation of conus medullaris FDG uptake and SUV determination.
- Comparison of conus SUV to background, liver, and lung values.
Main Results:
- Seventy percent of scans (70/100) demonstrated 18F-FDG uptake in the conus medullaris.
- Conus medullaris SUV ranged from 1.33 to 4.2 (mean 2.14).
- Patient ages ranged from 5 months to 24 years.
Conclusions:
- Low-level 18F-FDG uptake in the conus medullaris is a normal finding in children.
- This uptake represents normal physiological distribution, not CNS metastatic disease.
- Understanding normal conus medullaris uptake is crucial for accurate PET/CT interpretation in pediatric oncology.
