The Open Nuclear Medicine Journal

2011, 3 : 12-18
Published online 2011 September 14. DOI: 10.2174/1876388X01103010012
Publisher ID: TONMEDJ-3-12

Does the Use of IV Contrast Enhanced CT for Attenuation Correction Affect Clinical Interpretation of Head and Neck PET/CT?

Lance T. Hall , Aaron F. Struck , Christopher G. Guglielmo , Christine J. Jaskowiak , Michael A. Wilson and Scott B. Perlman
Department of Radiology,Section of Nuclear Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Box 3252 Clinical Science Center-E3, 600 Highland Ave Madison, WI 53792, USA

ABSTRACT

Purpose of Report:

Evaluate the effect of IV contrast use with FDG PET/CT on clinical interpretation of PET images for head and neck cancer.

Procedures:

20 consecutive patients referred for PET/CT and contrast enhanced CT of the head and neck had two sets of PET images obtained. One set used standard low dose CT for attenuation correction, and the other used IV contrast enhanced diagnostic quality CT for attenuation correction. Two blinded nuclear medicine physicians interpreted the results.

Results:

No statistically significant difference in clinical interpretation of the PET images was found. It was noted that PET scans attenuation corrected with IV contrast CTs had greater incidence of abnormal appearing lesions (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

It is reasonable to use contrast enhanced CT for attenuation correction in PET/CT of head and neck cancer. This would allow for a reduction in radiation dose delivered to patient.