False Positive and False Negative FDG-PET Scans in Various Thoracic Diseases.
- Author:
Jung Min CHANG
1
;
Hyun Ju LEE
;
Jin Mo GOO
;
Ho Young LEE
;
Jong Jin LEE
;
June Key CHUNG
;
Jung Gi IM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Positron emmosion tomography (PET); Thoracic diseases
- MeSH: Tuberculoma/diagnosis; Thoracic Diseases/*diagnosis; Radiopharmaceuticals/*diagnostic use; *Positron-Emission Tomography; Paragonimiasis/diagnosis; Lymphatic Diseases/diagnosis; Lung Diseases/*diagnosis; Hyperglycemia/diagnosis; Humans; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/diagnosis; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/*diagnostic use; False Positive Reactions; False Negative Reactions; Diagnosis, Differential; Cryptococcosis/diagnosis
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2006;7(1):57-69
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is being used more and more to differentiate benign from malignant focal lesions and it has been shown to be more efficacious than conventional chest computed tomography (CT). However, FDG is not a cancer-specific agent, and false positive findings in benign diseases have been reported. Infectious diseases (mycobacterial, fungal, bacterial infection), sarcoidosis, radiation pneumonitis and post-operative surgical conditions have shown intense uptake on PET scan. On the other hand, tumors with low glycolytic activity such as adenomas, bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, carcinoid tumors, low grade lymphomas and small sized tumors have revealed false negative findings on PET scan. Furthermore, in diseases located near the physiologic uptake sites (heart, bladder, kidney, and liver), FDG-PET should be complemented with other imaging modalities to confirm results and to minimize false negative findings. Familiarity with these false positive and negative findings will help radiologists interpret PET scans more accurately and also will help to determine the significance of the findings. In this review, we illustrate false positive and negative findings of PET scan in a variety of diseases.
