The etiology of FDG uptake in vaginal tampons during PET/CT examinations remains unclear and can potentially impair image interpretation. The aim of this study is to determine the etiology of this artefact and identify potential means how to prevent it.
In this prospective, Institutional Review board approved study we included 44 women referred to FDG PET/CT for staging or follow-up in an oncology setting. All women were provided a normal commercial or modified vaginal tampon with a silicon coated base to be used during examination. Images were analyzed to determine the localization and the FDG uptake in the tampons. Between the uptake phase and imaging, all patients were asked to void. After image acquisition, tampons were individually analyzed for creatinine concentration, blood traces, position relative to the pubococcygeal line, and FDG activity. Statistical significance was determined by means of the Mann-Whitney U test.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
44
modified vaginal tampons versus unmodified vaginal tampons, comparing the urinary contamination
University Hospital Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland
Number of FDG Positive Tampoons
Number of FDG positive Tampoons with an SUV \> 3
Time frame: 1 month
Tampon Position Relative to the Pubococcygeal Line
measure tampon position in regard to the pubococcygeal line to identify if positioning is responsible for urinary contamination.
Time frame: 1 month
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