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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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01-08-2011 | Original Article

What is the relationship between ¹⁸F-FDG aortic aneurysm uptake on PET/CT and future growth rate?

Authors: Carl W. Kotze, Ashley M. Groves, Leon J. Menezes, Richard Harvey, Raymondo Endozo, Irfan A. Kayani, Peter J. Ell, Syed W. Yusuf

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 8/2011

Abstract

Purpose

In this study we investigate the relationship between ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) metabolism and future aneurysm expansion measured by serial duplex ultrasound. Current screening programmes are increasing the identification of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The management of these patients remains challenging and methods of risk stratification are sought.

Methods

Thirty-four consecutive patients [31 men, 3 women, median age 75 years, interquartile range (IQR) 71–78] with aortic aneurysms under routine surveillance with serial ultrasound were prospectively recruited for ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. A whole vessel type analysis was performed measuring the highest aortic wall ¹⁸F-FDG uptake (standardized uptake value or SUV_max), and target to background ratio (TBR) for each axial image and median SUV_max and TBR value were calculated. Institutional Review Board permission and informed patient consent were obtained.

Results

Nine patients failed to undergo 12-month follow-up study (deceased n = 2, withdrew n = 1, failed to attend ultrasound scan n = 5, emergency aneurysm repair n = 1) leaving 25 patients for analysis. The median whole vessel SUV_max was 1.70 (IQR 1.45–2.08). The median whole vessel TBR was 1.15 (IQR 1.00–1.40). The median aneurysm expansion at 12 months was 2.0 mm (IQR 0.5–5.0). The correlation (r) between ¹⁸F-FDG SUV_max and ultrasound expansion at 1 year was −0.501 (p = 0.011).

Conclusion

The preliminary findings from this observational longitudinal pilot study suggest that there is an inverse trend between ¹⁸F-FDG uptake on PET and future AAA expansion. Aortic aneurysms with lower metabolic activity may therefore be more likely to expand.

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Title: What is the relationship between 18F-FDG aortic aneurysm uptake on PET/CT and future growth rate?
Authors: Carl W. Kotze
Ashley M. Groves
Leon J. Menezes
Richard Harvey
Raymondo Endozo
Irfan A. Kayani
Peter J. Ell
Syed W. Yusuf
Publication date: 01-08-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 8/2011
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-011-1799-8

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Springer Medicine

What is the relationship between ¹⁸F-FDG aortic aneurysm uptake on PET/CT and future growth rate?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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