RadteraBrain FDG PET/CT
PET+ ContrastNeuro
Indications
- Dementia differentiation (Alzheimer vs frontotemporal vs Lewy body)
- Seizure focus localization (interictal hypometabolism)
- Brain tumor grading / recurrence vs radiation necrosis
- Evaluation of cognitive decline
Patient prep
- Fast at least 4-6 hours; blood glucose <150-200 mg/dL
- Rest quietly in a dim, quiet room with eyes open or closed (consistent) during uptake to standardize cortical activity
- Minimize sensory/auditory stimulation and avoid talking/reading during uptake
- Review sedating medications; verify pregnancy status
Contrast
AgentF-18 FDG
RouteIV
Dose5-10 mCi (185-370 MBq)
TimingUptake ~30-60 min in a controlled quiet environment
Technique
- PET/CT dedicated brain acquisition; head immobilization
- 3D acquisition ~10-20 min; CT for attenuation correction
- Reconstruct in axial, coronal, sagittal; statistical surface/Z-score maps (e.g., comparison to normal database)
Series / Sequences
| # | Series / Sequence | Plane | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brain PET | Axial/coronal/sagittal | Metabolic pattern analysis |
| 2 | CT | Axial | Attenuation correction/localization |
Key points
- Alzheimer: temporoparietal + posterior cingulate/precuneus hypometabolism; FTD: frontal/anterior temporal; DLB: occipital involvement
- Seizure focus: interictal hypometabolism (ictal would be hypermetabolic)
- Standardize uptake environment (quiet, eyes state) for reproducible cortical patterns
- Distinguish tumor recurrence (hypermetabolic) from radiation necrosis (hypometabolic)
References
• SNMMI Procedure Standard/EANM Practice Guideline for Brain 18F-FDG PET Imaging v2.0 (J Nucl Med 2024)
• Radiopaedia: Brain FDG PET link
• Radiopaedia: Brain FDG PET link
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.