Combined CT colonography and 18F-FDG PET of colon polyps: Potential technique for selective detection of cancer and precancerous lesions Journal Article


Authors: Gollub, M. J.; Akhurst, T.; Markowitz, A. J.; Weiser, M. R.; Guillem, J. G.; Smith, L. McG; Larson, S. M.; Margulis, A. R.
Article Title: Combined CT colonography and 18F-FDG PET of colon polyps: Potential technique for selective detection of cancer and precancerous lesions
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of imaging the colon with fused CT colonography (CTC) and 18F-FDG PET and to correlate the findings with the histologic features of polyps. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Eighteen patients with suspected colorectal polyps enrolled in this prospective study. Before colonoscopy, 17 of the patients underwent a combination of FDG PET and CTC. CTC consisted of 4-MDCT merged with PET. PET of the abdomen and pelvis was performed after each CTC scan. One radiologist and one nuclear medicine physician in consensus analyzed PET and CTC fusion data. PET standard uptake value was correlated with the findings at histologic examination of polyps. Patient feasibility was defined as the ability to tolerate prolonged scanning with good colonic distention. Technical feasibility was determined by how closely anatomically matched polyps overlapped on fusion images. RESULTS. Seventeen of 18 patients tolerated scanning. Eighty-five percent of colon segments were optimally distended. Twenty-three of 27 FDG-avid polyps measuring 10 mm or more had excellent overlap at fusion imaging. PET depicted 23 of 39 premalignant polyps and even showed increased tracer activity associated with four small tubular adenomas (4-6 mm). Sixteen benign polyps (10-25 mm) were not depicted on PET. All nine cases of cancer (tumors measuring 11-60 mm) were detected with both PET and CTC. The standard uptake value of malignant tumors ranged from 4 to 20 (mean, 9). However, six benign flat polyps did not exhibit FDG avidity. CONCLUSION. The novel combination of CTC and PET was feasible in 17 of 18 patients and allowed excellent image correlation in 23 of 27 proven polyps measuring 10 mm or more on PET-CTC fusion. This technique shows promise in accurate anatomic correlation of both malignant and premalignant lesions evaluated with FDG PET. © American Roentgen Ray Society.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; clinical article; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; unclassified drug; histopathology; positron emission tomography; cancer diagnosis; radiopharmaceuticals; image analysis; cancer screening; diagnostic imaging; radiologist; image enhancement; subtraction technique; feasibility studies; colon cancer; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; fluorodeoxyglucose f18; positron-emission tomography; water; pet; colon adenocarcinoma; colon polyp; colon; colonic polyps; computed tomographic colonography; ct colonography; colonography, computed tomographic; carbon dioxide; precancerous conditions; colon adenoma; precancer; bisacodyl; fleet prepare kit 2; sodium dihydrogen phosphate
Journal Title: American Journal of Roentgenology
Volume: 188
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0361-803X
Publisher: American Roentgen Ray Society  
Date Published: 2007-01-01
Start Page: 130
End Page: 138
Language: English
DOI: 10.2214/ajr.05.1458
PUBMED: 17179355
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 27" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: AJROA" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Marc J Gollub
    208 Gollub
  2. Arnold J Markowitz
    138 Markowitz
  3. Jose Guillem
    414 Guillem
  4. Martin R Weiser
    534 Weiser
  5. Timothy J Akhurst
    139 Akhurst
  6. Steven M Larson
    958 Larson
  7. Lachlan Smith
    3 Smith