Comparison of dual-head coincidence PET versus ring PET in tumor patients

This study compared the multiring detector (Ring-PET) and the dual-head, co incidence imaging system (DH-PET) for staging/restaging neoplastic patients before or after surgery or radiochemotherapy. Methods: Seventy patients wi th suspected tumor recurrence or metastatic dissemination received an intra venous dose of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) under overnight fasting and we re studied in sequence with a dedicated positron emission tomograph with Ri ng-PET and a DH-PET. Ring-PET studies were performed 45-75 min postinjectio n and were followed by a DH-PET scan similar to 3 h postinjection. Number a nd location of the hypermetabolic lesions detected on DH-PET and Ring-PET r econstructed images were blindly assessed by three independent observers. R esults: DH-PET identified all 14 head lesions detected by Ring-PET, 53 of 6 3 thoracic lesions and 36 of 45 abdominal lesions. Of the 19 lesions not id entified by DH-PET, 6 were smaller than 10 mm, 8 were between 10 and 15 mm and 1 was 18 mm; dimensions of 4 bone lesions were not available. A concord ant restaging, based on location and number of lesions detected, was found in ail 14 patients with head tumors, in 28 of 30 patients with thoracic tum ors and in 24 of 26 patients with abdominal tumors. Conclusion: We found a good agreement between Ring-PET and DH-PET assessment of oncologic patients in detecting hypermetabolic lesions greater than or equal to 10-15 mm.