title: [Evaluation of efficacy and clinical impact of FDG-PET on patients with suspicion of recurrent cutaneous melanoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and clinical impact of positron emission tomography with 18F-FDG (FDG-PET) in patients with suspected recurrent melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 105 patients with melanoma and suspicion of recurrent melanoma by clinical symptoms in 38 cases or equivocal/positives morphological tests (TC, MR, US) in 77 cases. In all patients a whole body scan was performed with FDG-PET (ECAT HR +) after an intravenous injection of 444-518 MBq of 18F-FDG, in normoglucemia conditions, and previous administration of muscular relaxant, hydration and diuretic. Images were evaluated by 2 dxpert nuclear physicians and were analysed qualitatively and semiquantitatively. In 48 cases the results were confirmed by histology and clinical evolution (follow-up period >12 months) and imaging tests in 57 cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of recurrent melanoma was 63.8 %. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of FDG-PET was 97 %, 97.2 %, 98.5 %, 82 % y 94.7 % respectively. FDG-PET had led to a management change in 48 cases (38 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FDG-PET has high clinical impact in patients with suspicion of recurrent melanoma, and should be incorporated in the diagnosis protocols, before making therapeutic decision.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Diagnóstico de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España. isabel.borrego.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Borrego Dorado
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vázquez Albertino
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López Martín
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alvarez Pérez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019090:Case Management; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures
chemical_list: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18