Dual-head gamma camera coincidence imaging in pancreatic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of dual-head camera imaging with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the identification of malignant pancreatic lesions.


METHODS
Fifteen (15) patients with pancreatic masses (7 females and 8 males, mean age 52 10 years) have been studied prospectively. After a 12-hour fasting patients received 120 MBq of FDG and were imaged in a dual-head camera equipped with coincidence detection. The final diagnosis was obtained by histology (biopsy or surgery in 13 patients) or follow-up (in 2 patients).


RESULTS
Nine patients showed FDG uptake, all had pancreatic cancer proven on histological examination. Six patients had no tracer uptake: two had chronic pancreatitis, 1 had insulinoma, 1 had gastrinoma and two had pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overall sensitivity was 69%, specificity was 100% and accuracy was 73%.


CONCLUSIONS
Dual-head camera FDG images seem potentially useful in the characterization of the nature of pancreatic lesions. However, a negative study does not rule out malignancy in this patient population.
Nuclear Medicine Service, Heart Institute (InCor) and Clinical group of Biliary Ducts, Gastroenterology Departments, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. mcp.giorgio
M C Pinto
MC
Giorgi
R Martins
RM
Cunha
J
J
Soares
M
M
Izaki
E Toshimi
ET
Saito
C
C
de Barros Mott
G Guido
GG
Cerri
J A Francchini
JA
Ramirez
J C
JC
Meneghetti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18