Fusion of SPECT with computed tomography or magnetic resonance for the interpretation of abnormal tracer uptake Utilidad clínica de la fusión SPECT/CT con marcadores externos en patología oncológica

Abstract

Background: Interpretation of abnormal foci with high tracer uptake may require morphological correlation. Fusion of functional images obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and anatomical images obtained by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (RM) allows an integrated comprehension of complementary information. Aim: To demonstrate that SPECT/CT fusion with external markers is useful in clinical practice to clarify the location and pathological meaning of questionable foci. Material and methods: Thirty four pairs of images from separate equipments (31 SPECT/CT and 3 SPECT/RM) pertaining to 29 patients, were fused. Fifty one foci of abnormal tracer uptake of uncertain pathological meaning were analyzed. These were classified before and after the fusion as probably malignant or probably benign. Results: Seventy percent of patients had a differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The fusion localized 100% of foci. Nine percent had a normal and 26% an abnormal ana