PET/CT Benefits Pediatric Oncologic Care
Researchers from Johns Hopkins evaluated use of PET/CT scanning in pediatric patients with non-central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. The team concluded that this imaging modality benefits patients by improved diagnosis, reducing the number of imaging exams required, and prevents overtreatment to patients.
Over fifty children who underwent a total of 151 different PET/CT scans using the radiotracer FDG were assessed. All of the patients had non-CNS cancers. Information gained from these studies was compared to that obtained with conventional imaging (CI) approaches. 108 of the studies had CI images from within a month available for comparison, including MRI and contrast CT studies.
Studies were reviewed by two different radiologists based on the indication, purpose and findings. PET/CT scans that had accompanying CI studies of the representative lesions were compared.
PET/CT was accurate in 90 percent of the cases evaluated. PET/CT exams provided additional information compared to CI in 34 percent of the studies. Data collected indicates that this type of imaging can identify lesions in lymph nodes, even in those cases that were considered normal with other imaging modalities. The advantage of PET/CT is that it can provide both anatomic and biologic information during one study. This information can expand a clinician’s understanding of the underlying disease.
Additional benefits of PET/CT scanning include information to design tailored treatment planning during the exam based on the unique needs of each patient. Limiting the number of studies that children must undergo can reduce the amount of emotional strain for the patient and their families.
February 8, 2008 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Pediatrics, Hematology & Oncology