FDG-PET-CT Imaging Protocol for Diagnostic Evaluation

FDG-PET-CT scan images were acquired in the department of PET-CT Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University using the syngo. via platform (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany). The CT parameters were set as follows: 120 kV, 150 mA, layer distance 4.25 mm, layer thickness 5 mm. The ¹⁸F-FDG imaging agent was generated using the PET trace cyclotron and chemical synthesis systems at our hospital, and its radiochemical purity was not less than 97%. All 25 patients fasted for more than 6–8 h, and their blood glucose was lower than 11.1 mmol/L. After the patients rested for 15 min, the ¹⁸F-FDG imaging agent (0.1–0.15 mCi/kg) was administered intravenously as required. After an intravenous injection and 60 min of bed rest, the patient emptied their bladder and drank some water before the PET scan. The scan range covered from the top of the skull to the upper femur, and limb scans were added if necessary. Two experts with extensive experience in PET-CT diagnosis performed a double-blind reading simultaneously. A syngo MultiModality Work Place system (Siemens Healthineers) was used to select and measure structures throughout the body using the region of interest (ROI) tool within the software.