Is there a comparable Mp-MRI for incidental prostate uptake on 18 F-FDG PET/CT?

Merve Şam Özdemir1, Nurullah Kaya2, Metin Savun3

  • 1Department of Radiology, Başaksehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. mervesam@msn.com.

PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Incidental prostate 18F-FDG-PET/CT uptake is not always indicative of cancer. Multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores are more reliable predictors of malignancy than PET/CT findings alone.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Oncology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • 18F-FDG-PET/CT is valuable for many cancers but not recommended for localized prostate cancer.
  • Incidental findings of 18F-FDG uptake in the prostate require further characterization.
  • Multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) offers detailed prostate imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the utility of mpMRI in characterizing incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the prostate.
  • To compare the predictive value of mpMRI findings versus 18F-FDG-PET/CT metrics for prostate cancer malignancy.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 92 patients with incidental 18F-FDG-PET/CT prostate uptake.
  • Utilized mpMRI sequences (T2W, DCE, ADC) and PI-RADS v2.1 scoring.
  • Correlated PET/CT findings (SUVmax, uptake pattern) with mpMRI and biopsy results in 30 patients.

Main Results:

  • 70.6% of incidental 18F-FDG uptake did not correlate with mpMRI findings.
  • Correlation was observed in PI-RADS 3-5 lesions (29.3%).
  • Biopsies showed 56.7% malignancy; PSA density, PSA levels, and PI-RADS scores were significant predictors, unlike SUVmax or uptake pattern.

Conclusions:

  • Incidental 18F-FDG-PET/CT prostate uptake requires careful interpretation.
  • High PSA density, PSA levels, and PI-RADS scores are more predictive of malignancy than PET/CT findings.
  • mpMRI plays a crucial role in evaluating incidental prostate 18F-FDG uptake.