An appraisal of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for melanoma staging

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET scan) using fluorodeoxyglucos e (FDG) is increasingly recognized as a reliable diagnostic method to detec t metastases of malignant melanoma (MM). Objective: To compare the diagnost ic:performance of 18-FDG PET scan to that of conventional imaging. Methods: A total of 28 assessments were conducted in 24 patients at risk of metasta tic MM. Results: The diagnostic accuracy was over 80% and similar for PET s can and conventional imaging. Conclusion: Both the specificity and sensitiv ity of PET scan are high although not perfect. Confrontation of data with a natomical location and clinicopathological findings remains mandatory. Copy right (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.