F-FDG PET/CT technology for the assessment of brown adipose tissue: an updated review.

Introduction: This review provides an update of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F] FDG) for Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity quantification, whose role is not completely understood.

Areas Covered: We conducted an unstructured search of the literature for any studies employing the [F] FDG PET in BAT assessment. We explored BAT quantification both in healthy individuals and in different pathologies, after cold exposure and as a metabolic biomarker. The assessment of possible BAT modulators by using [F] FDG PET is shown. Further PET tracers and novel developments for BAT assessments are also described.

Expert Opinion: Further PET tracers and imaging modalities are under investigation, but the [] FDG PET is currently the method of choice for the evaluation of BAT and further multicentric trials are needed for a better understanding of the BAT physiopathology, also after cold stimuli. The modulation of BAT activity, assessed by [F] FDG PET imaging, seems a promising tool for the management of conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, an interesting possible correlation of BAT activation with prognostic [F] FDG PET indices in cancer patients should be assessed with further multicentric trials.