Molecular imaging of pulmonary nodules.

Maffione, Anna Margherita; Grassetto, Gaia; Rampin, Lucia; Chondrogiannis, Sotirios; Marzola, Maria Cristina; Ambrosini, Valentina; Rubello, Domenico · AJR Am J Roentgenol · 2014

review · Level V

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Abstract

Lung nodules can be benign or malignant, reflecting many possible causes, ranging from inflammatory and infectious processes to neoplasms. Incidental detection on chest x-ray or thoracic CT often requires further evaluation by imaging or invasive procedures. Currently, 18F-FDG PET/CT offers both anatomic and metabolic characterization of lung nodules. Fluorine-18-thymidine, 11C-methionine, 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analogs, and 18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine may offer additional molecular information useful for diagnosis and treatment planning.

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