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This retrospective study investigated the prognostic role of disease dissemination features (Dmax and Dmaxbsa) measured by 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT in newly diagnosed Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) patients, comparing their performance with other metabolic parameters. We included 78 patients diagnosed with BL between 2010 and 2022 with an available baseline PET, interim PET/CT (iPET) and end of treatment PET/CT (eotPET) and with a minimum of two 2-[18F]FDG avid lesions present at the baseline scan. Dmax was calculated from the three-dimensional coordinates of the baseline metabolic tumor volume (MTV) by using LIFEx software; Dmaxbsa was calculated as Dmax normalized for body surface area according to the Du Bois method. We evaluated their effect on metabolic treatment response evaluated by PET, on progression free survival (PFS) and on overall survival (OS). Dmaxbsa was significantly associated with tumor stage, bulky and extranodal disease, MTV and TLG. At a median follow-up of 49 months, the median PFS and OS were 45 and 48 months. Dmax and Dmaxbsa were significantly higher in not complete metabolic response than complete metabolic response group at iPET and eotPET.As far as PFS, parameters including iPET/CT, eotPET/CT outcomes, MTV and TLG showed to be independent prognostic factors while Dmax and Dmaxbsa were not significantly associated with the outcome. Dissemination features, together with eotPET/CT results, MTV and TLG, demonstrated to be significantly correlated with OS. In conclusion, in this study we demonstrated that dissemination features derived by 2[18F]-FDG PET/CT were significantly correlated with response to treatment and long-term outcome, independently from other PET features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Richter transformation (RT) is characterized by the transformation of CCL in the aggressive lymphoma variant with a significant worsening in prognosis. Initial reports about a substantial impact of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) in predicting RT are available in the literature. Using data from 15 published studies, including 1593 CLL patients, we demonstrated that 2-[18F]FDG uptake expressed as the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) has a high negative predictive value. Richter transformation is a rare phenomenon characterized by the transformation of cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into a more aggressive lymphoma variant. The early identification of CLLs with a high risk of RT is fundamental. In this field, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]FDG PET/CT) has been shown to be a non-invasive and promising tool, but apparently, unclear data seem to be present in the literature. This systematic review and bivariate meta-analysis aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT and its parameters in predicting RT. Between 2006 and 2024, 15 studies were published on this topic, including 1593 CLL patients. Among semiquantitative variables, SUVmax was the most investigated, and the best threshold derived for detecting RT was five. With this cut-off value, a pooled sensitivity of 86.8% (95% CI: 78.5–93.3), a pooled specificity of 48.1% (95% CI: 27–69.9), a pooled negative predictive value of 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4–92.4), a pooled negative likelihood ratio of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.17–0.70), a pooled positive likelihood ratio of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3–2.4), and a pooled diagnostic odds ratio of 6.7 (3.5–12.5) were obtained. With a higher cut-off (SUVmax = 10), the specificity increased while the sensitivity reduced. The other metabolic features, like metabolic tumor volume, total lesion glycolysis, and radiomic features, were only marginally investigated with controversial evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in developed countries, which can evolve into aggressive lymphoma variants, a process called Richter transformation (RT). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the role of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT) and its semiquantitative and radiomics features in detecting RT and evaluate the impact on overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with histologically proven CLL were retrospectively recruited. PET/CT images were qualitatively and semiquantitatively examined by estimating the main metabolic parameters (the maximum standardized uptake value body weight (SUVbw), lean body mass (SUVlbm), body surface area (SUVbsa), lesion-to-blood-pool SUV ratio (L-BP SUV R), lesion-to-liver SUV ratio (L-L SUV R), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and radiomics first- and second- order variables of the lesion with highest uptake. The role of these parameters in predicting RT and OS was analyzed. Results: One hundred and thirty (95%) PET/CT scans were positive, showing an increased tracer uptake at the site of disease, whereas the remaining 7 (5%) scans were negative. SUVbw, SUVlbm, SUVbsa, L-L SUV ratio, and L-BP SUV ratio were significantly higher in the RT group (p < 0.001 in all cases). Radiomics first- and second-order features were not significantly associated with RT. After a median follow-up of 44 months, 56 patients died; OS was significantly shorter in patients with RT than patients without RT (28 vs. 34 months; p = 0.002). Binet-stage, RT, and L-BP SUV R were shown to be independent prognostic features. Conclusions: Semiquantitative PET/CT parameters such as SUVbw, SUVlbm, SUVbsa, L-L SUV ratio and L-BP SUV ratio may be useful in discriminating patients with a high risk of developing RT, whereas Binet-stage, RT, and L-BP SUV R are also significant in predicting OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different insights into the connection between kidney [18F]fluorodesoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake at positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and renal function have been proposed in the past. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the presence of a correlation between these two parameters. Kidney uptakes were assessed and compared to the creatinine (Cr) values and estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) among different classes of renal functional impairment or kidney status. A total of 339 patients and 385 different PET/CT scans were included in this study. Significant correlations between kidney uptakes and renal function parameters were reported in most of the groups studied, with the exception of patients with Cr < 1.2 mg/dL and subjects with a kidney transplantation. Strong concordance in the assessment of renal parenchymal uptakes between the different readers was reported. To conclude, strong correlations for renal [18F]FDG uptake with Cr levels and the EGFR were reported, with the exception of the group of patients with a Cr value < 1.2 mg/dL and for the group with a kidney transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer is a rare neoplasm with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Its diagnostic approach is challenging since no specific features are present when using conventional imaging or positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of this systematic review was, therefore, to evaluate the role of these imaging modalities for the assessment of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. At present, it is still uncertain which tracer performs best, and although [18F]FDG has been evaluated and seems to offer some advantages in availability and clinical staging, other tracers may be more useful to understand tumor biology or identify targets for subsequent radioligand therapy. Further research is therefore desirable. In contrast, data are still limited to draw a final conclusion on the role and the specific characteristics of CI in this rare form of neoplasm, and therefore, more studies are needed in this setting. Background: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a rare neoplasm, and the role of both conventional imaging (CI) and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for its assessment has not been clearly evaluated and demonstrated. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the diagnostic performances of these imaging modalities in this setting. Methods: A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was made to find relevant published articles about the role of CI and PET/CT for the evaluation of NEPC. Results: 13 studies were included in the systematic review. PET/CT imaging with different radiopharmaceuticals has been evaluated in many studies (10) compared to CI (3 studies), which has only a limited role in NEPC. Focusing on PET/CT, a study used [18F]FDG, labeled somatostatin analogs were used in 5 cases, a study used [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 was evaluated in a single case, and two works used different tracers. Conclusion: Published data on the role of PET/CT for the assessment of NEPC are limited. At present, it is still uncertain which tracer performs best, and although [18F]FDG has been evaluated and seems to offer some advantages in availability and clinical staging, other tracers may be more useful to understand tumor biology or identify targets for subsequent radioligand therapy. Further research is therefore desirable. In contrast, data are still limited to draw a final conclusion on the role and the specific characteristics of CI in this rare form of neoplasm, and therefore, more studies are needed in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The prognostic stratification of patients affected by lymphomas is critical, and many positron-emission tomography (PET) metabolic parameters such as SUV, MTV, and TLG have been studied for this purpose. However, the lack of technical standardization in their measurements strongly affects their clinical power and potential integration into clinical practice. Dmax is a new biomarker that measures the distance between the two farthest hypermetabolic PET lesions and seems to show high accuracy as a prognostic factor in patients with lymphomas. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an evidence-based overview of the role of Dmax in lymphomas. Recently, several studies introduced the potential prognostic usefulness of maximum tumor dissemination (Dmax) measured by 2-deoxy-2-fluorine-18-fluoro-D-glucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT). Dmax is a simple three-dimensional feature that represents the maximal distance between the two farthest hypermetabolic PET lesions. A comprehensive computer literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane libraries was conducted, including articles indexed up to 28 February 2023. Ultimately, 19 studies analyzing the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT Dmax in patients with lymphomas were included. Despite their heterogeneity, most studies showed a significant prognostic role of Dmax in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Some articles showed that the combination of Dmax with other metabolic features, such as MTV and interim PET response, proved to better stratify the risk of relapse or death. However, some methodological open questions need to be clarified before introducing Dmax into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Increased detection of prostate cancer (PCa) recurrences using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT has been reported by adding forced diuresis or late-phase imaging to the standard protocol. However, the combination of these procedures in the clinical setting is still not standardized. Methods: One hundred prospectively recruited biochemical recurrent PCa patients were restaged with dual-phase [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT from September 2020 to October 2021. All patients received a standard scan (60 min), followed by diuretics (140 min) and a late-phase abdominopelvic scan (180 min). PET readers with low (n = 2), intermediate (n = 2), or high (n = 2) experience rated (i) standard and (ii) standard + forced diuresis late-phase images in a stepwise fashion according to E-PSMA guidelines, scoring their level of confidence. Study endpoints were (i) accuracy against a composite reference standard, (ii) reader's confidence level, and (iii) interobserver agreement. Results: Forced diuresis late-phase imaging increased the reader's confidence category for local and nodal restaging (both p < 0.0001), and the interobserver agreement in identifying nodal recurrences (from moderate to substantial, p < 0.01). However, it significantly increased diagnostic accuracy exclusively for local uptakes rated by low-experienced readers (from 76.5 to 84%, p = 0.05) and for nodal uptakes rated as uncertain at standard imaging (from 68.1 to 78.5%, p < 0.05). In this framework, SUVmax kinetics resulted in an independent predictor of PCa recurrence compared to standard metrics, potentially guiding the dual-phase PET/CT interpretation. Conclusions: The present results do not support the systematic combination of forced diuresis and late-phase imaging in the clinical setting, but allow the identification of patients-, lesions-, and reader-based scenarios that might benefit from it. Key Points: • Increased detection of prostate cancer recurrences has been reported by adding diuretics administration or an additional late abdominopelvic scan to the standard [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT procedure. • We verified the added value of combined forced diuresis and delayed imaging, showing that this protocol only slightly increases the diagnostic accuracy of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, thus not justifying its systematic use in clinics. • However, it can be helpful in specific clinical scenarios, e.g., when PET/CT is reported by low-experienced readers. Moreover, it increased the reader's confidence and the agreement among observers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare two different PET/CT tomographs for the evaluation of the role of radiomics features (RaF) and machine learning (ML) in the prediction of the histological classification of stage I and II non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT. A total of 227 patients were retrospectively included and, after volumetric segmentation, RaF were extracted. All of the features were tested for significant differences between the two scanners and considering both the scanners together, and their performances in predicting the histology of NSCLC were analyzed by testing of different ML approaches: Logistic Regressor (LR), k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), Decision Tree (DT) and Random Forest (RF). In general, the models with best performances for all the scanners were kNN and LR and moreover the kNN model had better performances compared to the other. The impact of the PET/CT scanner used for the acquisition of the scans on the performances of RaF was evident: mean area under the curve (AUC) values for scanner 2 were lower compared to scanner 1 and both the scanner considered together. In conclusion, our study enabled the selection of some [18F]FDG PET/CT RaF and ML models that are able to predict with good performances the histological subtype of NSCLC. Furthermore, the type of PET/CT scanner may influence these performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To retrospectively investigate the prognostic role of baseline 18F‐FDG PET/CT in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the paranasal sinuses. Methods: Clinical features and PET/CT semiquantitative parameters of 49 patients were collected. Anova and Kruskall–Wallis tests were used to assess the relationship between these parameters. Kaplan–Meier, univariate, and multivariate analysis were performed to search for independent prognostic factors for progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Mean PFS was 29.95 months (SD 29.36) with relapse/progression of disease occurring in 18 patients; mean OS was 33.40 (SD 27.78) months with death occurring in 15 patients. Presence of nodal metastasis (14 subjects) was correlated with standardize uptake value (SUV) max, SUVmean, SUV/blood‐pool ratio, SUV/liver ratio, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis. SUVmax, SUVmean, and presence of nodal metastasis resulted as independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusion: 18F‐FDG PET/CT semiquantitative parameters confirmed their prognostic role for SCC of paranasal sinuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The effective role of sarcopenia and body changes during treatment in elderly (>65 years) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is unclear. The aim of our study was to analyze the longitudinal body changes in terms of muscle and adipose area measurement using the computed tomography (CT) of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT during and at the end of chemotherapy. Moreover, we examined the prognostic role of these parameters together with the main clinical and metabolic variables. The incidence of sarcopenia increased in elderly HL during the chemotherapy course, with, e.g., the gain of adipose tissue areas. [18F]FDG PET/CT features (metabolic response at interim and end-of-treatment), baseline sarcopenia, and body composition changes during chemotherapy may have a prognostic role, especially for overall survival. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the longitudinal body changes in terms of muscle and adipose areas and their prognostic role in elderly (>65 years) patients affected by Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle index (SMI), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), and total dispose tissue (TAT) were measured using the computed tomography (CT) of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT ([18F]FDG PET/CT) in 88 patients who undertook baseline, interim (after two cycles of chemotherapy), and end-of-treatment (after 6 cycles of chemotherapy) PET/CT scans. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured at pre-treatment PET/CT. Metabolic response applying Deauville score was evaluated at interim and end-of-treatment PET/CT. Survival curves, such as progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were calculated for the whole population. Fifty-eight (66%) patients had sarcopenia at baseline and sarcopenia rate increased at interim scan with 68 (77%) cases and at end-of-treatment scan with 73 (83%) cases. Muscular areas (SMA and SMI) declined significantly during the treatment (p < 0.001), decreasing from baseline by 5% and 7% at interim and end-of-treatment evaluation, respectively. Instead, VAT, SAT, IMAT, and TAT increased significantly over this time (p < 0.001). Sarcopenia was significantly related with comprehensive geriatric assessment. PET/CT response at interim and end-of-treatment, MTV, TLG, and baseline sarcopenia were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Instead, metabolic response at interim and end-of-treatment PET, baseline sarcopenia, ΔSMI at interim, and ΔSMI at end-of-treatment for OS were independent prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Preliminary evidence about the useful impact of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT or PET/MRI in lymphoma is available but reveals heterogeneous findings. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the published data about the role of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT or PET/MRI in lymphoma and to focus on different lymphoma variants and clinical fields. [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET may be considered a useful imaging method for staging and treatment response evaluation of several lymphomas, mainly FDG-not-avid variants. These findings may change the diagnostic flow-chart of lymphoma in the future. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate published data about the role of gallium-68 Pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT) or PET/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in patients affected by lymphoma. A comprehensive computer literature search of the Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Embase databases was conducted including articles indexed up to June 2022. In total, 14 studies or subsets in studies were eligible for inclusion. From the analyses of the selected studies, the following main findings have been found: (1) lymphomas can be considered [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor avid diseases, also in cases of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose [18F]FDG-not avid forms such as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL); (2) among lymphomas, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and MZL are those with highest [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor uptake; (3) [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT or PET/MRI is a useful tool for the staging and treatment response evaluation; (4) [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET seems to have a better diagnostic performance than [18F]FDG PET in evaluating lymphomas. Despite several limitations affecting this analysis, especially related to the heterogeneity of the included studies, [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET may be considered a useful imaging method for staging and treatment response evaluation of several lymphomas, especially MZL, CNSL and LPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ovarian cancer relapse can be diagnosed by serum tumor markers measurements and 18F-fluorodoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) findings. The aim of our study was to analyze the potential relationship between cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and PET/CT results in patients affected by ovarian cancer. Material and methods: Ninety-two [18F]FDG PET/CT scans in sixty-one patients with diagnosis of ovarian cancer were analyzed and compared to CA-125 values. PET/CT results were compared to other imaging modalities, histology or follow-up data in order to define its diagnostic accuracy. PET/CT studies were analyzed qualitatively and semiquantitatively by measuring the maximum and mean standardized uptake value body weight max (SUVbw max, SUVbw mean), maximum SUV lean body mass (SUVlbm), maximum SUV body surface area (SUVbsa), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of hypermetabolic lesions. All measurements were compared with CA-125 values. Results: Twenty PET/CT studies were true negative, sixty-three true positive, five false positive and four false negative with sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 80%, negative predictive value of 83%, positive predictive value of 93% and accuracy of 90%. CA-125 levels were significantly correlated with PET/CT results and all PET/CT semiquantitative parameters. CA-125 cutoff values of 17 UI/mL is the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity in discriminating between positive and negative PET/CT result. Conclusions: [18F]FDG PET/CT has good accuracy in evaluating patients with relapse or persistance of ovarian cancer. CA-125 levels were significantly correlated with metabolic PET/CT parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: 68Ga-DOTA peptides positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is usually applied for the study of neuroendocrine tumours, but other tumours such as meningioma may also have an increased radiopharmaceutical uptake. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish the prevalence and the meaning of brain incidental uptake among patients who performed 68Ga-DOTA peptides PET/CT for other reasons. Materials and Methods: Overall, 510 68Ga-DOTA peptides PET/CT scans performed between January 2018 and February 2022 from 430 patients were reviewed for the analysis of incidental brain radiopharmaceutical uptake. All brain incidentalomas were compared with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or contrast-enhanced CT performed within an average time interval of ±60 days from PET/CT scan. Results: A total of 48 patients (14%) presented incidental focal intracranial radiotracer uptake. Thirty-eight (11%) of them had a suspected meningioma confirmed by MRI or contrast-enhanced CT imaging features. The remaining 10 had a final diagnosis different from meningioma (5 as brain metastases and 2 as venous anomalies) or were lost during the follow-up without performing MRI (n = 3). The average maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the suspected meningioma was 16.5 (range 5–33), and the average lesion to brain SUVmax ratio was 351 (range 80–550). Conclusions: Brain incidental uptake from the 68Ga-DOTA peptides PET/CT is not so rare, and meningioma is the most frequent cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-Aim: The relationship between perfusion pattern and stress-induced changes in Left Ventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony (LVMD) has been previously described with controversial results using stress-rest perfusion imaging studies. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between perfusion pattern and stress-induced changes in LVMD usingo regadenoson/rest13N-NH3 PET/CT. Methods: There were 74 patients who underwent stress-rest 13N-NH PET/CT from January 2014 to October 2018 excluding patients with left bundle branch block, ventricular pacing and myocardial necrosis. The patients were divided into those with reversible perfusion defects at stress (Ischemic group, n = 18) and patients without reversible perfusion defects (non-ischemic group, n = 56). The LVMD parameters included: phase standard deviation (PSD) and phase histogram bandwidth (PHB), after stress and at rest. The ΔPSD (post-stressPSD-restPSD) and ΔPHB (post-stressPHB—restPHB) were calculated to measure stress-induced changes in LVMD. Results: There were no significant differences in LVMD parameters between post-stress and at rest in both groups. The PSD post-stress, ΔPSD and PHB post-stress were significantly higher in the ischemic group. Conclusions: Using a vasodilator as a stress, the PSD and PHB post-stress and ΔPSD were significantly higher in the ischemic patients than the non-ischemic group, while there were no significant differences in each cohort between stress and rest indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue analizar la posible relación entre los marcadores tumorales y los resultados de la tomografía por emisión de positrones con 18F-fluorodoxiglucosa/tomografía computarizada (18F-FDG PET/TC) en pacientes afectados por seminoma. Se analizaron 65 exploraciones PET/TC 18F-FDG de 41 pacientes con diagnóstico de seminoma y se compararon con alfafetoproteína (AFP) y gonadotropina coriónica humana (hCG). Los estudios PET/TC se analizaron cualitativamente y midieron el valor máximo y medio de la captación estandarizada de peso corporal máximo (SUV bwmáx , SUV bwmean), masa corporal magra SUV máx (SUV lbm), área de superficie corporal máxima de SUV (SUV bsa), volumen tumoral metabólico (MTV) y glucólisis de lesión total (TLG) de lesiones hipermetabólicas. Todos los valores se compararon con los marcadores séricos. 31 estudios PET/TC fueron verdaderos negativos, 28 verdaderos positivos, seis falsos positivos y cero falsos negativos con sensibilidad del 100%, especificidad del 84%, valor predictivo negativo del 100%, valor predictivo positivo del 82% y precisión de 91%. No se encontró correlación entre los resultados de PET y los niveles de marcadores tumorales y tampoco entre los parámetros semicuantitativos de la PET/TC y la AFP. Todos los parámetros semicuantitativos de PET se relacionaron significativamente con el nivel de hCG. 18F-FDG PET/TC tiene buena precisión en la evaluación de pacientes con seminoma recidivante. Los niveles de hCG se correlacionaron significativamente con los parámetros metabólicos de PET/TC. The aim of our study was to analyze the potential relationship between tumor markers and 18F-fluorodoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) results in patients affected by seminoma. 65 18F-FDG PET/CT scans of 41 patients with diagnosis of seminoma were analyzed and compared to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). PET/CT studies were analyzed qualitatively and measuring the maximum and mean standardized uptake value body weight max (SUV bwmax , SUV bwmean), maximum SUV lean body mass (SUV lbm), maximum SUV body surface area (SUV bsa), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of hypermetabolic lesions. All values were compared with serum markers. 31 PET/CT studies were true negative, 28 true positive, 6 false positive and 0 false negative with sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 84%, negative predictive value of 100%, positive predictive value of 82% and accuracy of 91%. No correlation between PET results and tumor marker levels was found and also between AFP and PET/CT semiquantitive parameters. All semiquantitative PET parameters were significantly related to hCG level. 18F-FDG PET/CT has good accuracy in evaluating patients with relapsed seminoma. hCG levels were significantly correlated with metabolic PET/CT parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) scan in detecting local recurrences in patients with surgically treated oral tongue squamous cell cancer (OTSCC). Material and methods: Eighty-seven patients who had undergone surgery for OTSCC were monitored clinically and [18F]FDG-PET/CT and magnetic resonance (MR). PET uptakes were classified as functional (Type A), suspicious (Type B), or highly suggestive of local recurrence (Type C). A multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluated case-by-case the surveillance strategy based on PET uptake. Results: Fifty-nine patients presented FDG-PET uptake during follow-up: this report was significantly more frequent in patients who received flap reconstruction than in those without (73% vs 50%; p = 0.05). In 13 patients with Type A (n = 1), Type B (n = 9), and Type C (n = 3) uptakes an additional MR was considered preferable and discovered recurrence in 12.PET-CT had 9 true positives, 17 false positives, 71 true negatives, and no false-negative, resulting in sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of 100%, 80.7%, 34.6%, and 100%. Conclusions: The present results demonstrated a change in diagnostic strategy, as decided by the MDT, in about one-fifth of patients. The results should prompt in designing a rational surveillance schedule in surgically treated OTSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The metabolic behavior and the prognostic value of 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is not well investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the metabolic behavior of GIST and the prognostic role of pretreatment PET/CT features. Methods: In this retrospective study, we included 35 patients with a diagnosis of GIST who underwent a pretreatment 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT scan. We analyzed PET images visually and semiquantitatively by measuring several metabolic parameters as the maximum standardized uptake value corrected for body weight (SUVbw), for lean body mass (SUVlbm), for body surface area (SUVbsa), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to measure the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival curves. Results: Twenty‐nine (82%) patients showed a positive 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, whereas the remaining 6 had no hypermetabolic lesions. 18F‐FDG‐avidity was significantly related with mitotic index, tumor stage and tumor risk group. Instead, semiquantitative PET/CT parameters correlated only with tumor risk group. Disease progression occurred in 16 patients whereas death in seven. 18F‐FDG‐avidity, MTV and TLG were the only variables significantly associated with PFS. Conclusion: An 82% rate of PET avidity in GIST was found and it was correlated with stage, tumor risk group and mitotic index. Only baseline 18F‐FDG‐avidity, MTV and TLG were independently correlated with PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

18F-fluciclovine (18F-FACBC) is a radiotracer already studied for prostate cancer, and its potential role in brain tumors (such as glioma) is not yet well investigated despite promising results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible diagnostic role of 18F-FACBC PET/CT or PET/MRI in patients with gliomas and glioblastomas. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane library databases was conducted to find the relevant published articles about the diagnostic performance of FACBC PET/CT or PET/MRI in patients affected by glioma and/or glioblastoma. Seven papers were included in the systematic review. From the analyses of the selected studies, the following main findings were obtained: glioma and glioblastoma are FACBC-avid tumors with a detection rate of about 100%; FACBC PET has high-diagnostic accuracy in defining tumor extent, volumes, and satellite lesions better than MR; compared to methionine, FACBC has similar accuracy but better tumor-to-background contrast; FACBC uptake may help to discriminate between low-grade and high-grade glioma. Radiolabelled fluciclovine (18F-FACBC) imaging seems to be useful in analyzing glioma/glioblastoma. Further studies enrolling a wider population are needed to clarify the real clinical and diagnostic role of 18F-FACBC in this setting and its possible position in the diagnostic flowchart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

13N-Ammonia (13N-NH3) is widely used positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) radiotracer for the measurement of myocardial blood perfusion; the possible role of 13N-NH3 PET or PET/CT in oncological disease is not yet clear. Aim of this review is to evaluate the diagnostic performances of 13N-NH3 PET in this field. A comprehensive computer literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted including articles up to June 2019. Eighteen articles were finally included in the review. From the analyses of the selected studies, the following main findings could be drawn: (1) 13N-NH3 PET is useful in discriminating between gliomas and non-neoplastic brain lesions, and among gliomas between high-grade and low-grade gliomas; (2) 13N-NH3 PET have better diagnostic performance than 18F-FDG in studying gliomas; (3) a combination of 13N-NH3 PET and 18F-FDG PET may be useful to differentiate between several cerebral lesions (gliomas, cerebral lymphoma, meningioma); (4) only preliminary results about the positive impact in liver and prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burkitt's lymphoma is a lymphoma with unclear metabolic behavior at 18F-FDG-PET/CT and no validated criteria in treatment evaluation and prediction of outcome exist. Sixty-five patients were retrospectively included: all underwent baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 56 interim PET/CT (iPET/CT) and 54 end of treatment PET/CT (eotPET/CT) after chemotherapy. Interim and eotPET/CT results were visually interpreted according to the criteria of the IHP and Deauville-five-point-scale. Results were correlated with PFS and OS to assess and to compare the predictive value of iPET and eotPET according to each criterion. All baseline PET/CT showed increased 18F-FDG uptake in nodal and extranodal lesions. The median PFS and OS were 44.6 and 48.2 months with 3-year and 5-year PFS of 76% and 62% and 3-year and 5-year OS of 71% and 57%, respectively. EotPET/CT results using DC and IHP significantly correlate with OS and PFS; while iPET/CT did not correlated with OS and PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]