Positron Emission Tomography with FDG in the Detection of Peritoneal and Retroperitoneal Metastases of Ovarian Cancer

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate 18 F-FDG-PET, in comparison with CT, for the detection of peritoneal and retroperitoneal metastases of ovarian cancer. Methodology: 13 patients with primary (n = 7) or recurrent (n = 6) ovarian cancer underwent an attenuation-corrected 18 F-FDG-PET of the abdomen as well as a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT, followed by surgical staging. For data analysis, the abdomen was artificially divided into six regions (right and left subphrenic region, right and left paracolic gutter, retroperitoneum and central abdomen). All images were reviewed and each region was visually scored on 18 F-FDG-PET as well as on CT. 18 F-FDG-PET results were compared with those of CT, using the surgical data as gold standard. Results: 73 regions were evaluable surgically and or histologically. Sensitivity was slightly better for CT than for 18 F-FDG-PET (74 vs. 66%). Metastases of