PET scan-CT correlation: what the chest radiologist needs to know.
The purpose of this article is to familiarize the chest radiologist with the basics of PET scanning in the chest and to correlate PET findings with thoracic CT findings. After completing this article, the reader should know the following: (a) how PET scanning is performed; (b) the indications for PET scanning in the chest; (c) the significance of SUV and a positive test; (c) the causes of false-positive and false-negative PET scans; and (d) the importance of correlating PET findings with Chest CT findings. The authors conclude that PET and chest CT studies should be read in conjunction to optimize diagnostic accuracy. Interpreting either study alone is fraught with errors, while combined interpretations yield information on both functional activity and anatomic localization. PET-CT hybrid devices that fuse PET and CT data simplify this task and fusion imaging is rapidly becoming the test of choice for evaluating thoracic malignancies.
Kuhlman
Janet E
JE
Thoracic Imaging Section, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792-3252, USA. je.kuhlman@hosp.wisc.edu
Perlman
Scott B
SB
Weigel
Tracey
T
Collins
Jannette
J
Yandow
Donald
D
Broderick
Lynn S
LS
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends