Dear Molecular Imaging Insider,
According to some studies, approximately 90% of the patients who die of prostate cancer have some form of bone metastases. For those men who have been diagnosed as high-risk prostate cancer patients, quickly and accurately determining associated osseous metastatic disease is critical for successful clinical management.
A group of Israeli researchers recently conducted a prospective trial to identify bone metastases in 44 high-risk prostate cancer patients using the radiotracer Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate and planar bone scintigraphy, single field-of-view (FOV) SPECT, and multiple FOV SPECT. The men also underwent F-18 fluoride PET and F-18 fluoride PET/CT studies, with all the exams conducted in a single day for each patient.
The scientists elected to use F-18 fluoride as a PET imaging agent because of its sensitivity for detecting bone metastases. Their hypothesis was that using PET/CT, and its capability to resolve morphology, might reduce the number of false positives with which other studies utilizing F-18 fluoride PET have been burdened.
To read more about how planar bone scintigraphy, single and multi-FOV SPECT, PET, and PET/CT performed in this head-to-head comparison of bone metastases detection in prostate cancer patients, click here. As a Molecular Imaging Insider subscriber, you have access to this story before it's published for the rest of our AuntMinnie.com members.
While you're on the site, take a moment to check out our coverage of the European Congress of Radiology. We're on the scene in Vienna, Austria, to provide you with breaking news from events, exhibits, and scientific sessions at the congress. Later this month we're back on the road in Orlando, FL, where we'll be reporting from the annual Academy of Molecular Imaging conference, so be sure to stop by.
Finally, if you'd care to share your suggestions or insights on any aspect of molecular imaging you'd like to see covered on AuntMinnie.com in the future, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
