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01-12-2020 | Positron Emission Tomography | Original research

Low-dose ¹⁸F-FDG TOF-PET/MR for accurate quantification of brown adipose tissue in healthy volunteers

Authors: Edwin E. G. W. ter Voert, Hanna Svirydenka, Julian Müller, Anton S. Becker, Miroslav Balaz, Vissarion Efthymiou, Claudia Irene Maushart, Gani Gashi, Christian Wolfrum, Matthias J. Betz, Irene A. Burger

Published in: EJNMMI Research | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly applied for in vivo brown adipose tissue (BAT) research in healthy volunteers. To limit the radiation exposure, the injected ¹⁸F-FDG tracer dose should be as low as possible. With simultaneous PET/MR imaging, the radiation exposure due to computed tomography (CT) can be avoided, but more importantly, the PET acquisition time can often be increased to match the more extensive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocol. The potential gain in detected coincidence counts, due to the longer acquisition time, can then be applied to decrease the injected tracer dose. The aim of this study was to investigate the minimal ¹⁸F-FDG dose for a 10-min time-of-flight (TOF) PET/MR acquisition that would still allow accurate quantification of supraclavicular BAT volume and activity.

Methods

Twenty datasets from 13 volunteers were retrospectively included from a prospective clinical study. PET emission datasets were modified to simulate step-wise reductions of the original 75 MBq injected dose. The resulting PET images were visually and quantitatively assessed and compared to a 4-min reference scan. For the visual assessment, the image quality and artifacts were scored using a 5-point and a 3-point Likert scale. For the quantitative analysis, image noise and artifacts, BAT metabolic activity, BAT metabolic volume (BMV), and total BAT glycolysis (TBG) were investigated.

Results

The visual assessment showed still good image quality for the 35%, 30%, and 25% activity reconstructions with no artifacts. Quantitatively, the background noise was similar to the reference for the 35% and 30% activity reconstructions and the artifacts started to increase significantly in the 25% and lower activity reconstructions. There was no significant difference in supraclavicular BAT metabolic activity, BMV, and TBG between the reference and the 35% to 20% activity reconstructions.

Conclusions

This study indicates that when the PET acquisition time is matched to the 10-min MRI protocol, the injected ¹⁸F-FDG tracer dose can be reduced to approximately 19 MBq (25%) while maintaining image quality and accurate supraclavicular BAT quantification. This could decrease the effective dose from 1.4 mSv to 0.36 mSv.

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Title: Low-dose 18F-FDG TOF-PET/MR for accurate quantification of brown adipose tissue in healthy volunteers
Authors: Edwin E. G. W. ter Voert
Hanna Svirydenka
Julian Müller
Anton S. Becker
Miroslav Balaz
Vissarion Efthymiou
Claudia Irene Maushart
Gani Gashi
Christian Wolfrum
Matthias J. Betz
Irene A. Burger
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: EJNMMI Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2191-219X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-020-0592-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Low-dose ¹⁸F-FDG TOF-PET/MR for accurate quantification of brown adipose tissue in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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