Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy, cilt.34, sa.2, ss.107-113, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Objectives:18Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in the spinal cord is not unusual and may mimic metastatic disease. The physiological characterization and variability of spinal cord18F-FDG metabolism provide valuable information, especially in patients with suspected malignancies. We aimed to investigate the physiological18F-FDG uptake pattern within the spinal cord and its associations in a normal population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography images of 140 adult patients who were confirmed to be disease-free over a one-year follow-up period. The maximal and mean standard uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean ) were measured at each mid-vertebral level from C1 to L5, and normalized to liver and blood pool uptake. Correlations between18F-FDG uptake and patient demographics, clinical parameters, and environmental temperature were evaluated. Results:18F-FDG uptake demonstrated a decreasing trend from the cervical to lumbar vertebrae, with a notable increase at the lower thoracic levels (T11-T12). There was a significant negative correlation between18F-FDG uptake and age (p<0.001), fasting glucose level (p=0.016), and diabetic status (p=0.003). No significant association was found between spinal cord18F-FDG uptake and gender, weight, height, body mass index, 18 F-FDG dose, or environmental temperature. Conclusion: Normal distribution of18F-FDG in the spinal cord of disease-free individuals decreases from cervical to lumbar levels, although it notably increases at the lower thoracic and mid-lower cervical levels. Uptake significantly decreases with age, with a higher fasting blood glucose level, and in diabetic patients.