Background:Positron emission tomography(PET)with 18F - fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) is useful in detecting distant metastases from a variety of malignancies. However, its efficiency in detecting distant metastas...Background:Positron emission tomography(PET)with 18F - fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) is useful in detecting distant metastases from a variety of malignancies. However, its efficiency in detecting distant metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET for the detection of extrahepatic metastases from HCC. Methods: Nineteen patients suspected of having extrahepatic HCC underwent 18F-FDG PET. Fourteen patients (group A) had extrahepatic lesions, which were detected by conventional studies. In five patients (group B), conventional imaging showed no extra-or intrahepatic lesions, but the tumor marker levels were elevated. The PET results were compared with those obtained by histopathology or by clinical follow-up. Results: The detection rate of 18F-FDG P ET was 83%(24 of 29 metastases) for extrahepatic metastases larger than 1cm in greatest diameter and 13%(1 of 8 metastases) for lesions less than or equal to 1cm. PET revealed two bone metastases not depicted by bone scan, and detected the nodal metastasis and intestinal metastases inconclusive on computed tomography. Extrahepatic lesions were resected in 5 patients of group A on the basis of PET findings. In all patients of group B, PET results were true negative for extrahepatic metastases, but HCCs were detected in the liver within 4 months in 4 patients. These were no falsepositive lesions in either group. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggested that 18F-FDG PET could provide additional information and contribute to the management of HCC patients suspected of having extrahepatic metastases.展开更多
文摘Background:Positron emission tomography(PET)with 18F - fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) is useful in detecting distant metastases from a variety of malignancies. However, its efficiency in detecting distant metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET for the detection of extrahepatic metastases from HCC. Methods: Nineteen patients suspected of having extrahepatic HCC underwent 18F-FDG PET. Fourteen patients (group A) had extrahepatic lesions, which were detected by conventional studies. In five patients (group B), conventional imaging showed no extra-or intrahepatic lesions, but the tumor marker levels were elevated. The PET results were compared with those obtained by histopathology or by clinical follow-up. Results: The detection rate of 18F-FDG P ET was 83%(24 of 29 metastases) for extrahepatic metastases larger than 1cm in greatest diameter and 13%(1 of 8 metastases) for lesions less than or equal to 1cm. PET revealed two bone metastases not depicted by bone scan, and detected the nodal metastasis and intestinal metastases inconclusive on computed tomography. Extrahepatic lesions were resected in 5 patients of group A on the basis of PET findings. In all patients of group B, PET results were true negative for extrahepatic metastases, but HCCs were detected in the liver within 4 months in 4 patients. These were no falsepositive lesions in either group. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggested that 18F-FDG PET could provide additional information and contribute to the management of HCC patients suspected of having extrahepatic metastases.
