18F-FDG uptake and calcifications in the thoracic aorta on positron emission tomography/computed tomography examinations: Frequency and stability on serial scans Journal Article
| Authors: | Meirelles, G. S. P.; Gonen, M.; Strauss, H. W. |
| Article Title: | 18F-FDG uptake and calcifications in the thoracic aorta on positron emission tomography/computed tomography examinations: Frequency and stability on serial scans |
| Abstract: | Purpose: Vascular 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ( 18F-FDG) uptake has been suggested as a means of identifying metabolically active atheroma, whereas vascular calcification is accepted as an indicator of atherosclerosis. This investigation describes the frequency and stability of 18F-FDG uptake and vascular calcification in the thoracic aorta on serial 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) studies and correlates the findings with clinical data and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Materials and Methods: Serial 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans of 100 cancer patients who had at least 2 PET/CT studies were reviewed. Sites of aortic 18F-FDG uptake and calcifications were identified. Results were compared to assess the frequency and stability of the vascular findings and their correlation with clinical data. Results: 18F-FDG aortic uptake was seen in 70% of the patients on the initial scan and changed on the second scan in 55% of the patients. Calcifications were often seen in patients with 18F-FDG uptake, but calcification and 18F-FDG uptake were present at the same site in only 2 cases. Both calcification and 18F-FDG uptake correlated with age. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or a history of CVD had significantly more calcifications. No correlation was seen between 18F-FDG uptake and calcification stability and the interval between scans, age, risk factors, or history of CVD. Conclusions: 18F-FDG vascular uptake was common on PET/CT and correlated with vascular calcifications, although the specific sites rarely overlapped. Calcifications were stable over time, but 18F-FDG uptake changed in more than half of the patients, supporting the postulate that inflammation in atheroma is a waxing and waning inflammatory process. Copyright © 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. |
| Keywords: | positron emission tomography; calcium; atherosclerosis; computed tomography; 18f-fdg |
| Journal Title: | Journal of Thoracic Imaging |
| Volume: | 26 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| ISSN: | 0883-5993 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2011-02-01 |
| Start Page: | 54 |
| End Page: | 62 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/RTI.0b013e3181d9c9f9 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 20562727 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 4 March 2011" - "CODEN: JTIME" - "Source: Scopus" |
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