The Korean journal of internal medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Analysis of $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings in patients with pituitary lesions

  • Seok, Hannah (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Eun Young (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choe, Eun Yeong (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yang, Woo In (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Joo Young (Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dongsuwon General Hospital) ;
  • Shin, Dong Yeob (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Ho Jin (Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Tae Sung (Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yun, Mi Jin (Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Jong Doo (Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Eun Jig (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lim, Sung-Kil (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Rhee, Yumie (Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • Published : 2013.01.01
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Abstract

Background/Aims: Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good visual modality for the evaluation of pituitary lesions, it has limited value in the diagnosis of mixed nodules and some cystic lesions. We evaluated the usefulness of $^{18}F$-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) for patients with pituitary lesions. Methods: $^{18}F$-FDG PET and MRI were performed simultaneously in 32 consecutive patients with pituitary lesions. The relationships between FDG uptake patterns in PET and MRI findings were analyzed. Results: Of 24 patients with piuitary adenomas, 19 (79.2%) showed increased uptake of $^{18}F$-FDG in the pituitary gland on PET scans. All patients with pituitary macroadenomas showed increased $^{18}F$-FDG uptake on PET scans. Meanwhile, only five (50%) of the 10 patients with pituitary microadenomas showed positive PET scans. Interestingly, of two patients with no abnormal MRI findings, one showed increased $^{18}F$-FDG uptake on PET. For positive $^{18}F$-FDG uptake, maximum standardized uptake values $(SUV_{max})$ >2.4 had 94.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In addition, $(SUV_{max})$ increased in proportion to the size of pituitary adenomas. Most cystic lesions did not show $^{18}F$-FDG uptake on PET scans. Consclusions: About 80% of pituitary adenomas showed positivity on PET scans, and $(SUV_{max})$ was related to the size of the adenomas. PET may be used as an ancillary tool for detection and differentiation of pituitary lesions.

Keywords

References

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