Reducing SUV of the bladder in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging using furosemide

2602 Objectives To compare the effects of furosemide administration on SUV values of the bladder during 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT imaging. Methods This is a retrospective review of 35 PET/CT scans performed at Stanford. One group (n=15) received furosemide 40 mg intravenous 30 minutes after injection of 18F-FDG followed by a 45 minute wait before imaging. The other group (n=20) did not receive furosemide. Bladder standard uptake values (SUVavg and SUVmax) were collected. Results Relative to the non-furosemide group, the furosemide group showed significantly lower average SUV and maximum SUV bladder activities. The non-furosemide group had an SUVavg :45.15±10.09, SUVmax: 55.50±12.41. The furosemide group had an SUVavg :5.95±1.54, SUVmax: 6.96±1.80. Comparing SUVavg results in a p=0.00004. Comparing SUVmax results in a p=0.00002. Conclusions The use of furosemide is effective in significantly reducing the SUV of the bladder in PET/CT scans. This has significant potential for improving the ability to identify and interpret abnormal lesions within and around the urinary bladder.