title: Comparison of liver SUV using unenhanced CT versus contrast-enhanced CT for attenuation correction in (18)F-FDG PET/CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare standardized uptake values (SUVs) in liver tissue obtained using whole-body unenhanced low-dose computed tomography (CT) with those obtained using contrast-enhanced high-dose CT for PET attenuation correction in PET/CT scanning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients scheduled for (18)F-FDG PET and contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen were included in this study. PET data were corrected for attenuation using both unenhanced low-dose CT images and contrast-enhanced high-dose CT images. Differences in SUV(mean) and SUV(max) were compared in three liver regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average SUV(mean) and SUV(max) of all regions were 2.43 and 2.91 g/cm in the unenhanced data set and 2.53 and 3.17 g/cm in the enhanced data set, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SUV(mean) and SUV(max) were significantly elevated in liver tissue when using PET images corrected for attenuation with contrast-enhanced high-dose CT compared with PET images corrected with unenhanced low-dose CT. Although the differences may not be relevant in daily clinical practice, unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT should not be selected randomly for attenuation correction if exact quantitative results are required.
authors: Departments of aRadiology bMedical Oncology cNuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen dDepartment of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Edwin E G W
authors: EE
authors: ter Voert
authors: Hanneke W M
authors: HW
authors: van Laarhoven
authors: Peter J M
authors: PJ
authors: Kok
authors: Wim J G
authors: WJ
authors: Oyen
authors: Eric P
authors: EP
authors: Visser
authors: Lioe-Fee
authors: LF
authors: de Geus-Oei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001692:Biological Transport; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18