Fluorodeoxyglucose PET in the evaluation of amputations for soft tissue sarcoma

The aims of this study were to evaluate the uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (F DG) in the stumps of patients who have had amputations for soft tissue sarc oma and assess its utility in identifying local recurrence of disease. Sixt een patients who had either an upper or a lower limb amputation were evalua ted. FDG PET scans (half body scans to the stump +/- local emission transmi ssion views of the stump) were performed as part of their routine follow-up for evidence of metastases over a number of years (mean = 2.6 years; range 0.25-8 years). Diffuse uptake was found in 10 stumps for up to 18 months p ost-surgery without any evidence of disease recurrence. Focal areas of upta ke were associated with known pressure areas with skin breakdown that could be seen clinically. In the absence of localized clinical changes, these ar eas represented a recurrence and needed a biopsy. ((C) 1999 Lippincott Will iams & Wilkins).