Wolfgang Wust MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Matthias Stefan May, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

Michael Uder MD, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Bracco Group Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Research Grant, Siemens AG

Michael Marcus Lell MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Grant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Research Grant, Bayer AG Speakers Bureau, Bayer AG Research Consultant, Bracco Group

Hybrid single-photon emission tomographic (SPECT) and X-ray computed tomogra-phy (CT) systems are increasingly used in oncologic imaging. With SPECT/CT not only the thoracic spine but also the surrounding soft tissue needs to be evaluated for pathological findings. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of non-osseous findings detectable on low-dose CT datasets from patients studied by thoracic DPD-SPECT/CT.

119 consecutive oncologic patients (81 breast cancer, 38 with other cancer) who underwent DPD-SPECT CT of the thoracic region were included in this study. Non-osseous findings on CT were classified as either probably benign or suspicious. Suspicious findings were correlated with additional imaging methods like ul-trasound, MRI or CT with contrast medium.

In 80/119 (67%) patients no imaging was performed before SPECT/CT. Only 7/119 subjects (6 %) had no other lesions than bone lesions. In 101/119 (85%) patients lesions found on SPECT/CT images were rated as benign and in 65/119 (55%) pa-tients as suspicious. In 13/119 (11%) patients with previously unknown suspicious lesions on SPECT/CT images suspicious findings were confirmed with additional follow-up imaging methods (MRI, CT with contrast medium).

11% of patients referred to SPECT/CT of the thoracic spine for staging of malignant disease had relevant non-osseous lesions detectable on the low-dose CT images which could be confirmed with additional imaging methods. A systematic review of these CT datasets by physicians trained in CT imaging is therefore mandatory.

The relevant incidence of non-osseous suspicious findings in the low-dose CT scans of skeletal SPECT/CT found in our study stresses the need to evaluate these CT images, and this needs to be done by adequately trained physicians.

Wust, W, May, M, Uder, M, Lell, M, Thoracic Non-osseous Lesions Detected in Low-dose CT Images Acquired as Part of Skeletal SPECT/CT Examinations of Cancer Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14019757.html