Influence of F-18 FDG radiotracer application on image quality and SUV values when performing PET / CT study

Abstract

18F-FDG PET/CT is the most widely used diagnostic modality for detection of malignant disease. Beside the visual insight of FDG pathways into the human body, PET/CT can give valuable information based on the SUV values. The SUV is a quantitative parameter of metabolic activity. FDG application has 2 major impacts on PET/CT: qualitative aspect (visual insight of FDG in the body) and quantitative aspect (degradation of the SUV values). Based on the literature, FDG extravasation incidence is 31% for all PET/CT studies and in 8% of all cases extravasation has been visually confirmed since the application place has been in the field of view. By constantly developing the technique, work methodology and increasing the quality control of the staff in the PET/CT department, the incidence of extravasation can be significantly reduced based on the results from the literature. In the case when paravenous injection is present on PET/CT images we can use certain software procedures to improve image quality and SUV quanitification.