UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and impact on patient management of the new integrated PET/CT modality in patients with suspected iodine-negative, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). METHODS: Forty patients with DTC and a suggestion of iodine-negative tumor tissue underwent PET/CT examination (370 MBq (18)F-FDG, coregistered PET/CT whole-body images). As the first step of analysis, PET and CT images were scored blindly and independently by 2 nuclear medicine physicians and 2 radiologists. A 5-point scale was used. The second step consisted of a consensus reading, during which a virtual side-by-side fusion of PET and CT images was initially evaluated and afterward the "real" fusion (i.e., coregistered) PET/CT images were also scored with the same 5-point scale. The imaging results were compared with histopathologic findings and the course of disease during further follow-up examinations. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven lesions in 40 patients were evaluated. Diagnostic accuracy was 93% and 78% for PET/CT and PET, respectively (P = 0.049, per-patient analysis). In 17 (74%) of 23 patients with suspicious (18)F-FDG foci, integrated PET/CT added relevant information to the side-by-side interpretation of PET and CT images by precisely localizing the lesion(s). In tumor-positive PET patients, PET/CT fusion by coregistration led to a change of therapy in 10 (48%) patients. Futile surgery was prevented in an additional 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Integrated PET/CT is able to improve diagnostic accuracy in a therapeutically relevant way in patients with iodine-negative DTC. By precisely localizing tumor tissue, image fusion by integrated PET/CT is clearly superior to side-by-side interpretation of PET and CT images.
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and impact on patient management of the new integrated PET/CT modality in patients with suspected iodine-negative, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). METHODS: Forty patients with DTC and a suggestion of iodine-negative tumor tissue underwent PET/CT examination (370 MBq (18)F-FDG, coregistered PET/CT whole-body images). As the first step of analysis, PET and CT images were scored blindly and independently by 2 nuclear medicine physicians and 2 radiologists. A 5-point scale was used. The second step consisted of a consensus reading, during which a virtual side-by-side fusion of PET and CT images was initially evaluated and afterward the "real" fusion (i.e., coregistered) PET/CT images were also scored with the same 5-point scale. The imaging results were compared with histopathologic findings and the course of disease during further follow-up examinations. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven lesions in 40 patients were evaluated. Diagnostic accuracy was 93% and 78% for PET/CT and PET, respectively (P = 0.049, per-patient analysis). In 17 (74%) of 23 patients with suspicious (18)F-FDG foci, integrated PET/CT added relevant information to the side-by-side interpretation of PET and CT images by precisely localizing the lesion(s). In tumor-positive PET patients, PET/CT fusion by coregistration led to a change of therapy in 10 (48%) patients. Futile surgery was prevented in an additional 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Integrated PET/CT is able to improve diagnostic accuracy in a therapeutically relevant way in patients with iodine-negative DTC. By precisely localizing tumor tissue, image fusion by integrated PET/CT is clearly superior to side-by-side interpretation of PET and CT images.
Authors: Fabio Pomerri; Anna Rita Cervino; Faise Al Bunni; Laura Evangelista; Pier Carlo Muzzio Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: Lutz S Freudenberg; Andrea Frilling; Hilmar Kühl; Stefan P Müller; Walter Jentzen; Andreas Bockisch; Gerald Antoch Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2007-05-22 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Laura Agate; Francesca Bianchi; A Giorgetti; P Sbragia; V Bottici; F Brozzi; P Santini; E Molinaro; P Vitti; R Elisei; C Ceccarelli Journal: J Endocrinol Invest Date: 2014-07-29 Impact factor: 4.256