Incidence of focal myocardial 18F-FDG uptake and correlation with coronary calcifications by PET/CT

Abstract Objective To evaluate the incidence of 18 F-FDG focal uptake in the myocardium as well as its correlation with coronary vessel calcifications. Material and methods A total of 130 patients who underwent an oncological PET/CT study were reviewed retrospectively. Sixty-five had undergone a myocardial perfusion study because of clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease (group 1). There were no significant differences in age and gender regarding another group of the same series (n = 65; group 2). Focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake and the presence of coronary vessel calcifications were identified by 2 independent observers. Results Group 1: in 18 out of 65 patients (28%) focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake was identified (5 had 2 foci; total: 23 foci). In 43 out of 65 studies (66%), calcification was identified in the coronary vessels. Group 2: in 6 out of 65 patients (9%) focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake was identified (1 had 2 foci; total: 7 foci). In 17 out of 65 studies (26%), calcification was identified in the coronary vessels. Comparative analysis: focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake and coronary vessel calcifications were more frequent in the group 1 patients (p There was no correlation between the presence of coronary vessel calcifications and focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake in individual patients in both groups (group 1: p = 0.7; group 2: p = 0.163). Conclusions PET/CT allows simultaneous assessment of focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake and myocardial vessel calcifications. Patients with clinical suspicion of coronary artery disease have a higher incidence of focal myocardial 18 F-FDG uptake and coronary calcifications. However, 18 F-FDG focal uptake is often observed in sites remote from those with calcification.