Mansi Awasthi Saksena MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Austin Blake MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elena Brachtel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mukesh Gobind Harisinghani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Peter Raff Mueller MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine FDG uptake patterns by uterine fibroids in pre and post menopausal women undergoing combined PETCT and to determine their pathological significance.

34 women undergoing PETCT studies for staging of a known malignancy were included in the study. All patients had known uterine fibroids diagnosed either by MRI studies (26 patients) or established on histological exam post hysterectomy (8 patients). Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of FDG uptake by uterine fibroids was made on the PETCT studies. SUV values based on the patient’s weight were calculated for the fibroid and the normal myometrium in each case.

48 fibroids were evaluated in the 34 patients. 27 women were postmenopausal (38 fibroids), 9 were pre menopausal (12 fibroids). Mean fibroid size was 2.8 cm (1.2 – 6 cm). On qualitative examination 39 (81.2 %) showed no uptake,5 (10.4 %) showed mild uptake , 1 ( 2 %) demonstrated moderate uptake and 3 (6.2 %) demonstrated intense uptake as seen on the PET CT study. The mean SUV values were 1.6 (0.9- 7.3). In comparison with pathology cellular fibroids showed abnormal uptake on pathology. The one lesion that showed intense uptake also demonstrated intense arterial enhancement on the concurrent MRI study and was highly cellular on pathological exam.

In our study benign fibroids in post menopausal women did not demonstrate increased uptake. Most fibroids in premenopausal women demonstrated mild to moderate uptake. However extremes of no uptake and intense FDG uptake were also seen in fibroids in premenopausal women.

In postmenopausal women any uptake in a fibroid is abnormal and should undergo further evaluation. In premenopausal women various patterns of uptake maybe seen.

Saksena, M, Blake, M, Brachtel, E, Harisinghani, M, Mueller, P, Uptake Patterns of Uterine Fibroids on Combined PET/CT with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose with Pathological Correlation.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5012287.html