title: Role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography in gastrointestinal malignancies.
abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) has proved itself to be valuable in the evaluation of patients with a wide array of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Subsequent development of fusion imaging with PET and computed tomography (PET-CT) scanners has significantly advanced the capabilities of imaging by combining the functional data of the(18)F-labeled glucose analogue fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with the conventional anatomic data provided by CT. This article reviews the evolving role of FDG PET-CT imaging in the initial assessment and monitoring of GI tumors. Specific applications are discussed, and normal variants and benign findings frequently encountered during PET-CT of the GI tract are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio Health Care System, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, San Antonio, TX 78234, USA; Department of Radiology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. Electronic address: kevin.banks@amedd.army.mil.
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Won S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
keywords: (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose; Gastrointestinal malignancies; Neoadjuvant therapy; Positron emission tomography–computed tomography