Added value of 18-F-FDG-PET/CT in patients with pancreatic cancer: Initial observation

• Main Author: Ekhlas Abdelmonem Ibrahem Nasr Shaban
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2016-12-01
• Series: The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
• Subjects: CT; 18-F-FDG PET/CT; Pancreatic cancer
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378603X16301115

Purpose: The goal of the study was to highlight the added value of 18-F-FDG PET/CT over isolated CT to depict pancreatic tumors, distant metastases, monitor response to treatment and its usefulness in distinguishing fibrosis from residual/recurrence, thus direct biopsy to sites more likely to yield representative tumor tissue. Patients and methods: This study included 20 patients for which 18-F-PET/CT scans were performed. A case based analysis was performed in detailed manner for lesions on CT and fused images of 18-F-PET/CT. Statistical analysis including specificity, Sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) of each of these modalities was performed. A final diagnosis of metastasis was confirmed by further clinical and radiological workup. Results: PET/CT has 100% sensitivity, 88.9% specificity, 91.7% PPV, 100% NPV and 95% accuracy compared to 77.8% sensitivity and 54.5% specificity, 58.3% PPV, 75% NPV and 65% accuracy for CT in diagnosis and monitoring treatment response. Conclusion: Combined 18-F FDG PET/CT significantly improves the sensitivity and specificity of isolated CT for depicting pancreatic tumors, distant metastases, monitor response to treatment distinguishing fibrosis from residual/recurrence.