Molecular Imaging 2017

Atelectasis

Significant potential benefit by FDG-PET in RT planning (NTCP!)

CT: problem in differentiation tumor vs. atelectasis (similar density) PET: depicts atelectasis with slightly higher uptake than normal lung but much lower than tumor (Gerbaudo EJR 2007 64; 401-405) cave: false positive uptake in post-obstructive inflammation

Histologic correlation of PET-findings with pathology are lacking (atelectasis no problem concerning thoracic surgeons)

Pathophysiologic considerations support use of PET for RT-planning (why should FDG fail to accumulate in tumour infiltrating atelectatic lung?)