AuntMinnie.com is pleased to present this white paper by Dr. Stephen Humes for our members to download. You'll need the free Acrobat Reader software to view the document once you have saved it to your computer. If you'd like to offer your comments about the material, please e-mail [email protected].
PET/CT represents a major paradigm shift in radiology: it takes us from conventional technologies that evaluate structural anatomy to a molecular modality that images the metabolic activity of tissue.
This primer is written primarily for practicing radiologists with only residency training in nuclear medicine and who are now interpreting PET/CT studies. It is intended as a succinct guide to practicing radiologists for interpretation of the images, as well as a quick reference when consulting with referring physicians as to the appropriateness of performing PET/CT to address a specific clinical question.
The document begins with a general overview and the all-important areas of normal distribution commonly found on PET scans. It is then arranged according to the most commonly encountered oncology patients, including those with the following:
- Lung cancer
- Colon cancer
- Breast cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Esophageal cancer
- Cervical cancer
Each section includes the appropriate indications for performing PET/CT in these patients, as well as basic information concerning staging and management issues. Also included are the limitations of PET scans, including known false positives and false negatives.
Addended text includes samples of patient information sheets and protocols for PET/CT for specific clinical issues such as solitary pulmonary nodules, head and neck cancer, and melanoma. A section on interpreting and dictating PET/CT scans is also provided.
My special thanks are extended to Mary Stoner for writing the section on PET/CT protocols, and to Dr. Scott Williams of Advanced Radiology Consultants in Bridgeport, CT, for his review of the manuscript.
To download the guide, click on the link below:
By Dr. Stephen Humes
AuntMinnie.com contributing writer
October 14, 2005
Dr. Humes is a radiologist in private practice who works in nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, and general diagnostic radiology in Colorado. He is also affiliated with the department of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver.
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author, and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of any professional association, society, or AuntMinnie.com.
Related Reading
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FDG-PET/CT tops other technologies for lymphoma staging, March 23, 2005
PET/CT demonstrates staging strength over PET, CT, and PET plus CT, March 7, 2005
PET/CT hardware hybrid tops PET, software fusion for NSCLC staging, December 7, 2004
Copyright © 2005 AuntMinnie.com
