Francesco Fiz1, Arnoldo Piccardo2, Silvia Morbelli3,4, Gianluca Bottoni2, Michele Piana5, Manlio Cabria2, Marcello Bagnasco6, Gianmario Sambuceti3,4. 1. Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni, 56, Rozzano, 20089, Milan, Italy. Francesco.fiz.nm@gmail.com. 2. Nuclear Medicine Unit, E. O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy. 3. IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy. 4. Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Antonio Pastore, 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy. 5. Department of Mathematics, University of Genoa, Via Dodecaneso, 35, 16146, Genoa, Italy. 6. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical specialties, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: 18F-NaF-PET/CT can detect mineral metabolism within atherosclerotic plaques. To ascertain whether their 18F-NaF uptake purports progression, this index was compared with subsequent morphologic evolution. METHODS: 71 patients underwent two consecutive 18F-NaF-PET/CTs (PET1/PET2). In PET1, non-calcified 18F-NaF hot spots were identified in the abdominal aorta. Their mean/max HU was compared with those of a non-calcified control region (CR) and with corresponding areas in PET2. A target-to-background ratio (TBR), mean density (HU), and calcium score (CS) were calculated on calcified atherosclerotic plaques in PET1 and compared with those in PET2. A VOI including the entire abdominal aorta was drawn; mean TBR and total CS were calculated on PET1 and compared with those PET2. RESULTS: Hot spots in PET1 (N = 179) had a greater HU than CR (48 ± 8 vs 37 ± 9, P < .01). Mean hot spots HU increased to 59 ± 12 in PET2 (P < .001). New calcifications appeared at the hot spots site in 73 cases (41%). Baseline atherosclerotic plaque's (N = 375) TBR was proportional to percent HU and CS increase (P < .01 for both). Aortic CS increased (P < .001); the whole-aorta TBR in PET1 correlated with the CS increase between the baseline and the second PET/CT (R = .63, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: 18F-NaF-PET/CT depicts the early stages of plaques development and tracks their evolution over time.
PURPOSE: 18F-NaF-PET/CT can detect mineral metabolism within atherosclerotic plaques. To ascertain whether their 18F-NaF uptake purports progression, this index was compared with subsequent morphologic evolution. METHODS: 71 patients underwent two consecutive 18F-NaF-PET/CTs (PET1/PET2). In PET1, non-calcified 18F-NaF hot spots were identified in the abdominal aorta. Their mean/max HU was compared with those of a non-calcified control region (CR) and with corresponding areas in PET2. A target-to-background ratio (TBR), mean density (HU), and calcium score (CS) were calculated on calcified atherosclerotic plaques in PET1 and compared with those in PET2. A VOI including the entire abdominal aorta was drawn; mean TBR and total CS were calculated on PET1 and compared with those PET2. RESULTS: Hot spots in PET1 (N = 179) had a greater HU than CR (48 ± 8 vs 37 ± 9, P < .01). Mean hot spots HU increased to 59 ± 12 in PET2 (P < .001). New calcifications appeared at the hot spots site in 73 cases (41%). Baseline atherosclerotic plaque's (N = 375) TBR was proportional to percent HU and CS increase (P < .01 for both). Aortic CS increased (P < .001); the whole-aorta TBR in PET1 correlated with the CS increase between the baseline and the second PET/CT (R = .63, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: 18F-NaF-PET/CT depicts the early stages of plaques development and tracks their evolution over time.
Authors: Pál Maurovich-Horvat; Christopher L Schlett; Hatem Alkadhi; Masataka Nakano; Fumiyuki Otsuka; Paul Stolzmann; Hans Scheffel; Maros Ferencik; Matthias F Kriegel; Harald Seifarth; Renu Virmani; Udo Hoffmann Journal: JACC Cardiovasc Imaging Date: 2012-12
Authors: Terence M Doherty; Lorraine A Fitzpatrick; Daisuke Inoue; Jian-Hua Qiao; Michael C Fishbein; Robert C Detrano; Prediman K Shah; Tripathi B Rajavashisth Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 19.871