PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Nasseri, Yosef AU - Waxman, Alan AU - Berry, Cherisse AU - Kohanzedeh, Som AU - Philips, Edward AU - D'Agnolo, Alessandro AU - Haker, Katherine AU - Kallman, Cindy AU - Wachsman, Ashley AU - Margulies, Dan TI - A novel method for accurately diagnosing acute cholecystitis DP - 2009 May 01 TA - Journal of Nuclear Medicine PG - 562--562 VI - 50 IP - supplement 2 4099 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/50/supplement_2/562.short 4100 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/50/supplement_2/562.full SO - J Nucl Med2009 May 01; 50 AB - 562 Objectives There is a need for a rapid and direct test that is sensitive and specific for acute cholecystitis (ACC). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of 18FDG PET-CT to accurately assess the status of the gallbladder(GB) in patients(pts) suspected of ACC. Methods 9 pts with suspected ACC based on history, physical exam, lab values, abdominal ultrasound(US), and HIDA scan were studied. After obtaining consent, pts were injected with 18FDG, and 30-90 mins later underwent PET-CT. This was done within 48hrs of admission but prior to the pts undergoing operation. These pts were compared with 40 consecutive control subjects who underwent 18FDG PET/CT for reasons other than ACC. Results 9 pts suspected of having cholecystitis were evaluated with PET-CT. PET-CT localized 18FDG accumulation in the GB wall in 7 pts with a pattern of high GB wall activity relative to hepatic activity. 6 pts underwent cholecystectomy and had pathology confirmed ACC. One PET(+) pt was(+)on CT, HIDA and US was treated medically for ACC. 2 pts had (+)HIDA, (-)PET-CT and US with final Dx of non-ACC. There was no detection of 18FDG in the GB region in any of the controls. Conclusions 18FDG-PET/CT detected inflammation of the GB in all pts with ACC. All controls and 2 pts later found not to have ACC had no activity in the GB wall. In this pilot study, PET/CT appears to be a promising rapid, direct and accurate test in diagnosing ACC. Further study of this method is warranted as it may have a role when the diagnosis of ACC is in question, possibly replacing HIDA as a more accurate test.