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Updated: May 20, 2026

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Carcinogen-induced Murine Bladder Tumors
Published on: March 29, 2019
Catheter-assisted 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging of primary bladder cancer: a prospective study
Laura S Mertens1, Natascha M Bruin, Erik Vegt
1Department of Urology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. l.mertens@nki.nl
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the value of a standardized 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET/computed tomography (CT) protocol for imaging of primary bladder cancer, using standardized bladder flushing and filling.
Methods:
We included 19 patients with cT1-4 bladder cancer. A Foley catheter was inserted before 18F-FDG injection. PET/CT imaging was performed according to four bladder protocols: (1) bladder empty; (2) bladder empty after flushing; (3) bladder filled with 50 ml saline; and (4) bladder filled with 100 ml saline. Tumour visibility was assessed and compared with histopathology or CT and cystoscopy.
Results:
The procedure was successfully completed in 16 out of 19 patients. The reference standard revealed a bladder tumour in 16 out of 19 patients. Sensitivity of protocols 1 and 2 was 0.38 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16-0.64] compared with 0.63 (95% CI, 0.36-0.84) for protocols 3 and 4.
Conclusion:
Flushing and subsequent retrograde filling of the bladder results in the highest rate of tumour visualization and quantification. Flushing alone is inferior.
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