Practical aspects of 18F-FDG PET when receiving 18F-FDG from a distant supplier

Abstract

With PET becoming more widely used, there is an increase in the number of imaging centers being forced to rely on distant suppliers of 18F-FDG. Because of the large distances between major urban centers, this is particularly true for PET centers in Canada. Methods: Our PET center, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, currently purchases 18F-FDG from a commercial vendor located more than 1,000 km from Winnipeg, necessitating transport by commercial airline cargo. This dependence on air transport and a distant supplier creates a situation in which our 18F-FDG supply is less reliable than it would be with onsite production. In this article, we offer insight into the obstacles we have encountered in imaging with a distant supplier of 18F-FDG and the solutions we have implemented to minimize the disruption to our patients and maximize the number of scans performed each year. Results: The development of contingency plans and protocols designed to suit our operating environment has allowed us to increase the number of patient scans obtained from 659 in year 1 to 993 in year 3, an increase of 51%, despite an increase in our actual number of scan days of only 24%. 18F-FDG injection timetables are presented for a variety of scenarios including normal delivery, low shipped activity, and delayed delivery. Conclusion: Through the careful establishment of contingency protocols and management of 18F-FDG shipments, patient throughput can be increased and disruptions minimized.