Chordoma: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI imaging features

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Chordoma is a rare bone tumor originating from notochordal remnants.
• Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of chordoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the imaging features of chordoma using ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and MRI.
• To evaluate the potential utility of these imaging modalities in chordoma management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of biopsy-proven chordoma patients who underwent pre-therapy ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.
• Assessment of various PET/CT and MRI imaging parameters.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Chordomas exhibited moderate, heterogeneous ¹⁸F-FDG uptake (average SUVmax 5.8).
• MRI demonstrated predominantly T2 hyperintense and T1 isointense characteristics with heterogeneous enhancement.
• No significant association was found between imaging features and recurrence or metastasis.

Conclusions:

• ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT shows moderate, heterogeneous FDG uptake in chordomas.
• MRI findings commonly include T2 hyperintensity and T1 isointense signals.
• ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT may aid in staging, treatment response evaluation, and surveillance for recurrent or metastatic chordoma.