How we read pediatric PET/CT: indications and strategies for image acquisition, interpretation and reporting

• Published in: Cancer imaging Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 28 - 15
• Main Authors: Colleran, Gabrielle C., Kwatra, Neha, Oberg, Leah, Grant, Frederick D., Drubach, Laura, Callahan, Michael J., MacDougall, Robert D., Fahey, Frederic H., Voss, Stephan D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 07.11.2017; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Algorithms; Attenuation correction; Bone cancer; Cancer Research; Cancer therapies; Child; Children & youth; Computed tomography; CT imaging; Diagnostic CT; Dose reduction; How I Read Cancer Imaging Studies: The Master Class Series; Humans; Hybrid imaging; Image acquisition; Imaging; Lymphoma; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Melanoma; Metabolism; Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Neuroblastoma; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Nuclear Medicine; Oncology; Pediatric oncology; Pediatrics; PET/CT; Positron emission; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography - methods; Practice; Radiology; Review; Studies; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Tumors; Multidisciplinary interpretation; Diagnostic CT; PET/CT; Pediatric oncology; Hybrid imaging; Attenuation correction; Dose reduction
• ISSN: 1470-7330; 1740-5025; 1470-7330
• DOI: 10.1186/s40644-017-0130-8

PET/CT plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging and management of many pediatric malignancies. The techniques for performing PET/CT examinations in children have evolved, with increasing attention focused on reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation dose whenever possible and minimizing scan duration and sedation times, with a goal toward optimizing the overall patient experience. This review outlines our approach to performing PET/CT, including a discussion of the indications for a PET/CT exam, approaches for optimizing the exam protocol, and a review of different approaches for acquiring the CT portion of the PET/CT exam. Strategies for PACS integration, image display, interpretation and reporting are also provided. Most practices will develop a strategy for performing PET/CT that best meets their respective needs. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview for radiologists who are new to pediatric PET/CT, and also to provide experienced PET/CT practitioners with an update on state-of-the art CT techniques that we have incorporated into our protocols and that have enabled us to make considerable improvements to our PET/CT practice.