Abstract
Objective
Metformin-induced [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) bowel uptake can hinder positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) evaluation of the bowel. This study aimed to investigate the segmental bowel uptake of FDG according to metformin discontinuation times up to 72 h.
Methods
We retrospectively divided 240 diabetic patients into four groups: metformin discontinuation <24 h (group A; n = 86), 24–48 h (group B; n = 40), 48–72 h (group C; n = 12), and no metformin (control group; n = 102). Segmental FDG bowel uptakes were measured visually (four-point scale) and semi-quantitatively (maximum standardized uptake value).
Results
Compared with the control group, FDG uptake increased significantly from the ileum to the rectosigmoid colon in group A, from the transverse to the rectosigmoid colon in group B, and from the descending colon to the rectosigmoid colon in group C in both visual and semi-quantitative analyses.
Conclusions
Metformin discontinuation for <72 h is likely suboptimal for PET/CT image interpretation, especially with respect to the distal segments of the colon.
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Suk Hyun Lee, Soyoung Jin, Hyo Sang Lee, Jin-Sook Ryu, and Jong Jin Lee declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Lee, S.H., Jin, S., Lee, H.S. et al. Metformin discontinuation less than 72 h is suboptimal for F-18 FDG PET/CT interpretation of the bowel. Ann Nucl Med 30, 629–636 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-016-1106-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-016-1106-7