18F-FDG PET-CT Findings Before and After Laparoscopic Cryoablation of Small Renal Mass: An Initial Report.
The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging combined with low-dose computed tomography (CT) in small renal mass (SRM) treated with cryoablation (CA). Currently, treatment success is defined by the absence of contrast enhancement at CT. However, the use of contrast is relatively contraindicated in patients with renal function impairment, mandating alternative follow-up strategies. Several reasons were identified as criteria for performing PET-CT before and/or after SRM-CA in 9 patients, and the results were retrospectively studied. The histology revealed renal cell carcinoma in 7 patients and oncocytoma in 2 patients. In 6 patients, a PET-CT was performed before and after CA. In one patient, the PET-CT was performed only before CA and in 2 patients only after CA. Before CA, clearly there was metabolic uptake of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in the SRM in all patients. Following CA, the absence of18F-FDG uptakes in the SRM could clearly be noticed. However, the tracer cannot always be distinguished from focal recurrence or reactive inflammatory tissue. In one patient, asymptomatic metastatic bone lesions were noticed when performing PET-CT at follow-up. This pilot study with18F-FDG PET-CT for the follow-up of SRM cryosurgery showed that18F-FDG PET-CT imaging could be used to characterize cryoablative tissue injury at different times after CA.
Department of Urology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Brunolf W
BW
Lagerveld
Department of Urology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ferida
F
Sivro
Department of Urology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Johan A
JA
van der Zee
Department of Urology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Phillippe C
PC
Baars