Freesmeyer M, Elsner P, Goetze S, Kaatz M, Winkens T. Positron emission tomography/ultrasound fusion technique in patients with malignant melanoma.
J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2015;
59:320-5. [PMID:
25707688 DOI:
10.1111/1754-9485.12280]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/CT is commonly used to assess tumour recurrence in high-risk patients with malignant melanoma (MM). However, results can be ambiguous either because of the CT's insufficient soft-tissue contrast or non-specific FDG accumulation caused by inflammation. Ultrasound (US) can provide additional morphologic information that is superior to CT. For precisely combining PET and US findings, we used a real-time fusion technique based on navigated US (PET/US fusion). Here, we describe our results from patients where PET/US fusion proved helpful in differentiating unclear PET/CT findings. This fusion technique is likely to be helpful for decision making in MM patients and biopsy guidance.
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