Hypermetabolism on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scan Does Not Influence the Interpretation of Thyroid Cytopathology, and Nodules with a SUVmax <2.5 Are Not at Increased Risk for Malignancy

• DOI: 10.1089/thy.2015.0654
• Publication Date: 2016-06-21T07:15:03Z
• Authors: Pablo Valderrabano; Jaime Montilla-Soler; Mathew Mifsud; Marino Leon; Barbara Centeno; Laila Khazai; Tapan Padhya; Thomas McCaffrey; Jeffery Russell; Bryan McIver; Kristen Otto
• Keywords: Thyroid Nodules; Hypermetabolism; Cytopathology; Fluorodeoxyglucose; Standardized uptake value; Thyroid neoplasm

Hypermetabolism of thyroid nodules on (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) is associated with a higher prevalence malignancy. However, the definition hypermetabolism and its impact cytological interpretation are unclear.Medical records all patients who had undergone evaluation at Moffitt Cancer Center between October 2008 May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Those PET scan performed within one year cytology composed study group, rest used as controls. The distribution categories, percentage resection, malignancy among each Bethesda category was compared both groups.Fifteen percent (436) in group. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) directly probability having malignant or follicular neoplasm diagnosis; inversely benign diagnosis. cancer not SUVmax values. It found that increased to >5% ≥2.5. significantly than histology (mean 10.8 vs. 5) but significant overlap groups for either whole cohort indeterminate only limiting use differential diagnosis.The <2.5 similar general population, management should be modified those patients. hypermetabolic (SUVmax ≥2.5) well characterized by does categories. Therefore, value add relevant information once available.