For avid glucose tumors, the SUV peak is the most reliable parameter for [18F]FDG-PET/CT quantification, regardless of acquisition time

Background This study is an assessment of the impact of acquisition times on SUV with [ 18 F]FDG-PET/CT on healthy livers (reference organ with stable uptake over time) and on tumors. Methods One hundred six [ 18 F]FDG-PET/CT were acquired in list mode over a single-bed position (livers ( n = 48) or on tumors ( n = 58)). Six independent datasets of different durations were reconstructed (from 1.5 to 10 min). SUV max (hottest voxel), SUV peak (maximum average SUV within a 1-cm 3 spherical volume), and SUV average were measured within a 3-cm-diameter volume of interest (VOI) in the right lobe of the liver. For [ 18 F]FDG avid tumors (SUV max ≥ 5), the SUV max , SUV peak , and SUV 41% (isocontour threshold method) were computed. Results For tumors, SUV peak values did not vary with acquisition time. SUV max displayed significant differences between 1.5- and 5–10-min reconstruction times. SUV 41% was the most time-dependent parameter. For the liver, the SUV average was the sole parameter that did not vary over time. Conclusions For [ 18 F]FDG avid tumors, with short acquisition times, i.e., with new generations of PET systems, the SUV peak may be more robust than the SUV max . The SUV average over a 3-cm-diameter VOI in the right lobe of the liver appears to be a good method for a robust and reproducible assessment of the hepatic metabolism.