Expert consensus on oncological [F]FDG total-body PET/CT imaging (version 1).

BACKGROUND

[F]FDG imaging on total-body PET/CT (TB PET/CT) scanners, with improved sensitivity, offers new potentials for cancer diagnosis, staging, and radiation treatment planning. This consensus provides the protocols for clinical practices with a goal of paving the way for future studies with the total-body scanners in oncological [F]FDG TB PET/CT imaging.

METHODS

The consensus was summarized based on the published guidelines and peer-reviewed articles of TB PET/CT in the literature, along with the opinions of the experts from major research institutions with a total of 40,000 cases performed on the TB PET/CT scanners.

RESULTS

This consensus describes the protocols for routine and dynamic [F]FDG TB PET/CT scanning focusing on the reduction of imaging acquisition time and FDG injected activity, which may serve as a reference for research and clinic oncological PET/CT studies.

CONCLUSION

This expert consensus focuses on the reduction of acquisition time and FDG injected activity with a TB PET/CT scanner, which may improve the patient throughput or reduce the radiation exposure in daily clinical oncologic imaging.

KEY POINTS

• [F]FDG-imaging protocols for oncological total-body PET/CT with reduced acquisition time or with different FDG activity levels have been summarized from multicenter studies. • Total-body PET/CT provides better image quality and improved diagnostic insights. • Clinical workflow and patient management have been improved.