Correlation of CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the liver with fluoride-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the assessment of metastatic hepatic abnormalities

Imaging studies using the fluoride-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan have recently become available for patient neopla sia evaluation. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is a well-described dia gnostic method for hepatic lesion evaluation. Correlation of these testing, modalities in hepatic abnormalities has not been previously reported. Patho logy files of Saint Louis University Hospital were retrospectively searched for patients with FNA biopsy of the liver Thirty-one patients with a total of 32 FNA biopsies of the liver with corresponding FDG-PET scans were iden tified Twenty-five patients had 25 cases of metastatic malignant neoplasia diagnosed by FNA biopsy Of these cases, all but one had an FDG-PET scan pos itive for malignancy, yielding a sensitivity of 96% (24/25) for the FDG-PET scan. Combined positivity of the two testing modalities yielded a sensitiv ity of 100% (24/24). Ser,En patients did nor demonstrate neoplasia by FNA b iopsy, and the FDG-PET scan was negative in 6 of these 7 cases. The FDG-PET scan is an important imaging technique and combined with FNA biopsy, can p rovide reliable diagnostic results and assist in the guidance of oncologic patient management. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss,Inc.