Diagnosing giant cell tumor of the bone using positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A retrospective study of 20 patients from a single center

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnosis of giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB) using the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), which indicates the metabolic rate of tissue. Patients diagnosed with pathologically confirmed GCTB between January 2006 and July 2015 were included in the study. Data from PET/CT scans and pathological and clinical reports for all patients were retrospectively reviewed. The SUVmax value from the PET/CT scan of each patient was retrieved and analyzed. A total of 20 patients [12 male and 8 female; age range, 12-45 years; mean age ± standard deviation (SD), 33.5±15.7] with complete PET/CT data and a pathologically and clinically confirmed diagnosis were examined. The SUVmax of GCTB was between 1.8 and 18.6, with a mean ± SD of 9.2±3.8. Although GCTB is not considered to be a malignant lesion, PET/CT scans of the tumors reveal high-grade malignant osseous sarcomas. It is, therefore, important not to mistake such lesions for osteosarcomas or metastatic malignancies of the bone.