Changes in 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in the Spinal Cord in a Healthy Population on Serial Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
- Author:
Ari CHONG
1
;
Ho Chun SONG
;
Byung Hyun BYUN
;
Sun Pyo HONG
;
Jung Joon MIN
;
Hee Seung BOM
;
Jung Min HA
;
Jung Kil LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Spinal cord; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Positron-emission tomography and computed tomography
- MeSH: Early Detection of Cancer; Electrons; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Follow-Up Studies; Lumbar Vertebrae; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord; Spine
- From:Chonnam Medical Journal 2013;49(1):38-42
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: We aimed to determine the changes in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the spinal cord on two serial positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans in a healthy population. We retrospectively enrolled healthy people who underwent PET/CT twice for cancer screening. We excluded those who had degenerative vertebral disease, neurologic disease, or a history of a vertebral operation. The standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the spinal cord of each mid-vertebral body was obtained by drawing a region of interest on an axial image of PET/CT. For analysis, the cord-to-background ratio (CTB) was used (CTB=SUVmax of each level/SUVmax of L5 level). Differences in pattern, sex, age, and intervals of the two serial PET/CT scans were analyzed. A total of 60 PET/CT images of 30 people were analyzed. The mean interval between the two PET/CT imaging studies was 2.80+/-0.94 years. On the follow-up PET/CT, significant change was shown only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae (p<0.005). Mean CTB showed a decreasing pattern from cervical to lumbar vertebrae. There were two peaks at the lower cervical level (C4-6) and at the lower thoracic level (T12). Neither sex nor age significantly affected CTB. The FDG uptake of the spinal cord changed significantly on follow-up PET/CT only at the level of the C6 and T10 vertebrae. This finding is valuable as a baseline reference in the follow-up of metabolic changes in the spinal cord.
