Clinical Applications of FDG-Probe Guided Surgery

Abstract

Background : For a definitive diagnosis in many oncological, inflammatory and infectious diseases histological examination is required. Non-palpable lesions detected with PET/CT scanning that cannot be localized with conventional imaging methods can be localized and excised using FDG-probe guided surgery. We describe the application of FDG-probe guided surgery in 9 patients.

Methods : The application of FDG-probe guided surgery used in 9 consecutive patients with oncological and infectious diseases is described. Four hours before surgery, 3.5 MBq/Kg body weight FDG was intravenously administered after which a FDG-PET-scan was performed to confirm the FDG-avid lesion(s). The lesions with highest activity were detected with the FDG-probe and the lesions were subsequently excised and sent for histopathological examination. Results : In all of the 9 cases the target lesion was successfully identified and subsequently removed. When multiple and/or macroscopically normal lymph nodes were found, the use of the FDG-probe allowed selection of the PET-avid lymph nodes for resection.

Conclusion : FDG-probe guided surgery is a relatively simple surgical technique to identify and excise FDG-accumu-lating suspicious lesions in oncological, inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

C.G. Vos

C. G. Vos Department of Surgery VU University Medical Center De Boelelaan 1117 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]