Spectrum of physiological and pathological cardiac and pericardial uptake of FDG in oncology PET-CT

Clin Radiol. 2013 Jan;68(1):e59-71. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2012.09.007. Epub 2012 Nov 22.

Abstract

Cardiac uptake of 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) is frequently observed on FDG positron-emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) performed for diagnosis, staging, and assessment of therapeutic response of lymphoma and solid cancers, despite careful patient preparation to limit myocardial glucose substrate utilisation. We illustrate the varied physiological patterns of cardiac FDG uptake, and show a spectrum of pathological conditions causing FDG uptake within myocardial and pericardial structures, due to clinically important benign and malignant diseases. Recognition and awareness of these various causes of FDG uptake in the heart, along with the appropriate use of correlative contrast-enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will facilitate correct interpretation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, Brown / metabolism
  • Artifacts
  • Cardiomyopathies / metabolism
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / pharmacokinetics*
  • Heart Atria / metabolism
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism*
  • Heart Ventricles / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Organ Specificity
  • Papillary Muscles / metabolism
  • Pericarditis / metabolism
  • Pericardium / metabolism*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics*
  • Sarcoidosis / metabolism
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18