title: Impact of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the management of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma after treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to compare the usefulness and reliability of integrated whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with those of contrast-enhanced multidetector CT during regular follow-up in patients after initial treatment of ovarian cancer, to assess the impact of FDG-PET/CT on the confirmation of recurrence, restaging, and clinical management of patients, and to determine the incremental information provided by PET/CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed on 19 ovarian cancer patients who underwent a total of 30 FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT scans. The following information was obtained: the clinical information of the patients; the results of FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT, particularly with regard to the impact on the diagnosis of recurrence; information on the localization and number of diseases; and the impact on subsequent clinical management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT had very high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer. Contrast-enhanced multidetector CT was considered the more accurate imaging modality for detecting recurrence, whereas FDG-PET/CT was proven more effective for detecting large numbers of small lesions. When comparing the impact on the choice of a management plan, both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT were found to be significantly effective at predicting the locations of recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both integrated FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced multidetector CT are sensitive surveillance modalities for the detection of recurrent ovarian cancer; the use of both modalities aids decisions on treatment plans and may ultimately have a favorable impact on prognosis. However, contrast-enhanced multidetector CT is recommended for the regular follow-up for ovarian cancer patients after initial treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita 879-5593, Japan. nasu@oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kaei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasu
authors.forename: Wakana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takai
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tomonari
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Narahara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18