Need for standardization of 18F-FDG PET/CT for treatment response assessments

Abstract

Many factors affect standardized uptake values (SUVs) in 18F-FDG PET/CT. The use of the SUV from a single PET scan in multicenter studies requires the standardization of 18F-FDG PET/CT procedures. In the context of treatment response assessments (repeated PET scans), many factors may seem to have minor effects on percentage changes in SUVs, provided that imaging procedures are executed in a consistent manner for each subject. However, the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in a nonstandardized manner will result in unknown biases and reproducibilities of SUVs and SUV-based response measures. This article provides an overview of the need for standardization in relation to the specific use of SUVs and SUV changes in studies of treatment response assessments. Copyright © 2011 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.