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.
Giorgi
M C Pinto
MC
Nuclear Medicine Service, Heart Institute (InCor) and Clinical group of Biliary Ducts, Gastroenterology Departments, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. mcp.giorgio
Cunha
R Martins
RM
Soares
J
J
Izaki
M
M
Saito
E Toshimi
ET
de Barros Mott
C
C
Cerri
G Guido
GG
Ramirez
J A Francchini
JA
Meneghetti
J C
JC
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