Possible additional value of 18FDG-PET in managing pancreas intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: Preliminary results

Gian Luca Baiocchi¹ , Nazario Portolani¹ , Francesco Bertagna² , Federico Gheza¹ , Claudio Pizzocaro² , Raffaele Giubbini² and Stefano M Giulini¹

¹Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Surgical Clinic, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

²Nuclear Medicine Service, Brescia Civil Hospital, Brescia, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 2008, 27:10doi:10.1186/1756-9966-27-10


Published:	10 June 2008

Abstract

Although some clinical and radiological features may predict malignancy presence in intraductal papillary mucinous pancreas neoplasms, preoperative diagnosis remains difficult. In this study we present 7 patients with Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) studied both with 18FDG-PET and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). A focal hypermetabolism was documented in 2 patients (the standardized uptake value in the neoplastic foci was 6.7 and 9), while absence of FDG uptake in the neoplasm area was recorded in the remaining 5 cases. Mean follow-up was 27 months (range 21–34). The final judgement was benign IPMN in 5 cases and malignant IPMN in 2. PET scan always correctly predicted the presence or absence of malignancy, while MRCP failed to detect malignancy in 3/7 cases. In conclusion, this preliminary experience suggests that 18FDG-PET may prove useful for malignancy detection in IPMN, improving differential diagnosis with benign intraductal papillary growth by functional data.