5 research outputs found
Observer Variation of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-Glucose-Positron Emission Tomography in Mediastinal Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as a Function of Experience, and its Potential Clinical Impact
Purpose: To test the extent of variation among nuclear medicine physicians with respect to staging non-small cell lung cancer with positron emission tomography (PET). Procedures: Two groups of nuclear medicine physicians with different levels of PET experience reviewed 30 PET scans. They were requested to identify and localize suspicious mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) using standardized algorithms. Results were compared between the two groups, between individuals, and with expert reading. Results: Overall we found good interobserver agreement (kappa 0.65). Experience with PET translated into a better ability to localize MLN stations (68 % vs. 51%, respectively), and experienced readers appeared to be more familiar with translating PET readings into clinically useful statements. Conclusions: Although our results suggest that clinical experience with PET increases observers _ ability to read and interpret results from PET adequately, there is room for improvement. Experience with PET does not necessarily improve the accuracy of image interpretation
Axial, coronal and sagittal PET/CT images showing increased FDG-uptake in the rib (A, red arrow), spine (B, red arrowhead), spleen (B, brown arrowhead) and pelvic bone (C, blue arrow) suggesting lymphoproliferative disease.
<p>This PET/CT diagnosis was histologically confirmed after a bone marrow biopsy was performed.</p
Flowchart retrospective study (ESR = Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; FUO = Fever of Unknown Origin, PMR  =  Polymyalgia rheumatica, AML = acute myeloid leukemia, n.a. =  not applicable).
<p>*This patient died 1 month after PET/CT, gastric cancer was confirmed pathologically. †Polyarteritis nodosa (diagnosed with angiography).</p
Axial PET/CT images showing physiological 18-FDG uptake in the bladder (green arrow) and increased peri-rectal 18-FDG uptake (A, red arrow).
<p>Additionally, the presence of air is detected on the low-dose CT (B). This was not present on an abdominal CT-scan that was performed prior to the PET/CT-scan. A diagnosis of peri-rectal abscess was confirmed during explorative surgery.</p
Examinations performed prior to PET/CT scan in patients included in retrospective study.
<p>Examinations performed prior to PET/CT scan in patients included in retrospective study.</p