F-18-Fluorocholine PET/MRI in Restaging of Prostatic Carcinoma in Relation to PSA Level and Detection of Active Disease
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate our own experience with F-18-fluoromethylcholine-(FCH)-positron-emission tomography combined with magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in restaging of patients with prostatic carcinoma and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Patients and Methods: The analysis was performed on a sample of 100 male patients who underwent F-18-FCH-PETIMRI, with a mean age of 63.2 years (range=47-78 years).
The imaging was performed using an integrated PET/MRI hybrid system after intravenous application of F-18-FCH at a dose of 1.25 MBq/kg. The number and sites of pathological accumulation of FCH related to local recurrence, nodal spread and skeletal metastases were compared to corresponding MRI findings; furthermore, the relation of PSA level and presence of FCH accumulation in tumorous tissue was assessed; finally we correlated the findings of different sites of metastatic involvement.
Results: In patients with a PSA level up to 2 ng/ml, accumulation in tumorous tissue of local recurrence or metastases was found in 83.33% in cases of biochemical relapse, and in patients with PSA level above 5 ng/ml in 100% of cases. In general, we found any finding explained rise of PSA level in 94% of patients.
Conclusion: F-18-FCH-PETIMRI using an integrated system with 1,25 MBq/kg dosing of FCH is a valuable tool in evaluation of restaging in patients with prostatic carcinoma, with high detection rate even in those with a low serum PSA level.