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F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET may detect, manage retroperitoneal fibrosis
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F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography can be a valuable tool in diagnosing and treating retroperitoneal fibrosis in patients, according to case study results.
In 50% of the four patient cases studied, F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) was useful not only in diagnosing the disease, but also in monitoring the course of the fibrosis and in detecting inflammation.
Investigators in Italy wrote in one patient case, FDG-PET was essential in confirming the inflammatory nature of a retroperitonal mass, which led to a decision to begin glucocorticoid therapy. In another case, FDG-PET was invaluable in diagnosing large-vessel vasculitis because of its unique ability to visualize large vessels as well as the abdominal aorta and periaortic tissue. In the same case, FDG-PET was able to examine how treatment affected the course of the disease.
Regarding the disadvantages of FDG-PET, researchers said the technology had limited sensitivity in detecting slow-growing carcinoid tumors in one patient and inconclusive results in attempting to scan for organs affected by disease activity.
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