Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography: A Guide for the General Radiologist

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality.
• Anatomical imaging has limitations in detecting and monitoring malignant disease.
• Functional imaging, like PET, improves sensitivity and specificity for cancer detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of FDG PETCT in oncology.
• To highlight PETCT's role in cancer staging, treatment response assessment, and diagnosis of inflammatory/infectious conditions.
• To provide guidance on PETCT interpretation for non-radiologists.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PETCT, the most common tracer.
• Combines functional PET imaging with diagnostic quality contrast-enhanced CT.
• Reviews various tracers and their specific oncological applications.

Main Results:

• PETCT alters staging in approximately one-third of patients compared to anatomical imaging alone.
• Assesses early metabolic response to treatment, preceding anatomical changes.
• Useful in diagnosing inflammatory/infectious conditions and identifying primary tumors of unknown origin.

Conclusions:

• FDG PETCT is an integral tool in modern oncology, refining patient pathways and treatment decisions.
• PETCT provides crucial prognostic information and aids in managing complex cases with distorted anatomy.
• It offers valuable diagnostic capabilities beyond malignancy, including inflammatory and infectious diseases.