Feasibility of 18F-FDG PET as a noninvasive diagnostic tool of muscle denervation: A preliminary study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to confirm glucose hypermetabolism in denervated muscle and investigate the feasibility of 18F-FDG PET scanning for the detection of muscle denervation. Method: A sciatic neuropathy model in rats was created by nerve resection of the left sciatic nerve and sham operation on the other side. Eight days after denervation, small-animal PET/CT scans of the hindlimbs were acquired. Muscle denervation was confirmed by electrophysiologic and histologic study. Results: All rats showed increased 18F-FDG uptake in the muscles of the left (denervated) lower legs. The calculated maximum lesion-to-normal counts ratio of the left lower leg anterolateral (left, 11.02 ± 2.08; right, 1.81 ± 0.40, n = 6, P < 0.01) and posterior (left, 9.81 ± 4.58; right, 1.87 ± 0.44, n = 6, P < 0.01) compartment were significantly increased. The electrophysiologic and histologic study verified muscle denervation. Conclusion: Glucose hypermetabolism in muscle denervation is an obvious phenomenon. 18F-FDG PET scanning can be used to visualize muscle denervation.