Diagnostic accuracy of dual-time-point 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients.

Background: The diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients acquired 60 min after FDG administration is reported to be only moderate, especially due to low sensitivity.

Purpose: To test whether a delayed scan 90 min after FDG administration could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of axillary lymph node metastases.

Material And Methods: Thirty-eight women suffering from primary breast cancer (mean age 52 years; range 25-78 years; standard deviation 14 years) underwent a pre-therapeutic dual-time-point FDG-PET/CT scan.