Incidental finding of malignancy in patients preoperatively evaluated for aneurysm wall pathology using PET/CT.

Truijers, Maarten; Pol, Jillis A; Kurvers, Harrie; Bredie, Sebastian; Oyen, Wim J; Blankensteijn, Jan D · J Vasc Surg · 2009

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

Preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed in 26 consecutive patients considered fit for aneurysm repair. Besides information on aneurysm wall pathology, PET/CT identified 6 patients with concomitant malignancy. As a result of this coincidental finding, the operation was postponed in 2 patients and cancelled in 1. Although previous studies have shown that PET/CT might affect patient selection based on aneurysm wall inflammation, our preliminary results show a big impact on patient management as a result of the sensitivity of PET/CT for detecting malignancy. Future larger studies are warranted to investigate the effect and cost effectiveness of routine PET/CT in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients.

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