Artifactual 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose localization surrounding metallic objects in a PET/CT scanner using CT-based attenuation correction.
OBJECTIVE
To communicate a clinically important artifact in positron emission tomography (PET) images using a PET/computerized tomography (CT) scanner with CT-based attenuation correction.


METHODS
A 65-year-old man with a maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma was injected with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) and underwent a PET scan using a dual modality PET/CT scanner with CT-based attenuation correction. Immediately afterward, the patient had a second scan using a different PET scanner that used a high-energy transmission source for attenuation correction.


RESULTS
The PET/CT scanner images demonstrated a focus of activity in the attenuation corrected PET images corresponding to a pacemaker in the left chest wall. No abnormal focus was noted in the nonattenuation corrected PET images. The patient had no signs or symptoms of inflammation at the site. A second scan using a PET scanner with a high-energy transmission source demonstrated no abnormal focus in the AC PET images.


CONCLUSIONS
PET/CT scanners using CT-based attenuation methodology can overcorrect dense objects resulting in hot spot artifacts in AC PET images.
D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18