Journal of Urological Surgery (Sep 2017)
Diagnostic Role of F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron-Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Restaging of Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
Abstract
Objective: To retrospectively evaluate contribution of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) to re-staging of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 17 patients (12 males and 5 females), who underwent nephroureterectomy due to UTUC and 18FDG-PET/CT between July 2007 and April 2015. The mean age of the patients was 64.3±9.96 years (range: 45-79). 18FDG-PET/CT was performed for re-staging 6-24 months after nephroureterectomy (mean: 18 months). Nearly 1 hour after intravenous injection of 555 MBq of F-18 FDG, the patients underwent whole-body PET scanning from the skull base to the upper thighs after 6 hours of fasting, and nearly 1 hour after all body CT scanning performed in the craniocaudal direction. By using CT data for attenuation correction, FDG-PET images were reconstructed. Results: 18FDG-PET/CT scans proved negative findings in three patients (17.7%) and positive findings in 14 patients (82.3%). Suspicious recurrent or metastatic lesions were confirmed by histopathology or clinical follow-up. Sensitivity of 18FDG-PET/CT was 93% and the specificity was 75%. Conclusion: 18FDG-PET/CT defines local recurrence and far metastases with high specificity in re-staging of operated UTUC. It is thought that the procedure could play an important role in decisions regarding radiotherapy or chemotherapy and post-operative follow-up after the operation and could affect the whole decision-making process.
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