The pivotal role of FDG-PET/CT in modern medicine

Acad Radiol. 2014 Feb;21(2):232-49. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.11.002.

Abstract

The technology behind positron emission tomography (PET) and the most widely used tracer, 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG), were both conceived in the 1970s, but the latest decade has witnessed a rapid emergence of FDG-PET as an effective imaging technique. This is not least due to the emergence of hybrid scanners combining PET with computed tomography (PET/CT). Molecular imaging has enormous potential for advancing biological research and patient care, and FDG-PET/CT is currently the most widely used technology in this domain. In this review, we discuss contemporary applications of FDG-PET and FDG-PET/CT as well as novel developments in quantification and potential future indications including the emerging new modality PET/magnetic resonance imaging.

Keywords: 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose; FDG; PET/CT; Positron emission tomography/computed tomography; molecular imaging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18