New non-invasive methods have been developed to detect lung malignancies. One of them is positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F 2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) as a radiotracer. Objective: Evaluate the FDG-PET results performed through a hybrid coincidence–gamma camera in patients with pleuropulmonary infectious diseases or lung tumors. Material and methods: Fifteen patients were evaluated, and divided into: group I – five patients with active lung tuberculosis, and group II – ten patients with possible pleuropulmonary neoplasia. Doses of 185 MBq of FDG were given intravenously, and scans were performed with a two-headed ADAC Vertex Plus camera. Results: In group I all scans were positive. In group II after thoracotomy in nine patients and mediastinoscopy in one, the following diagnoses were observed: two adenocarcinomas, two granulomas, one small cell carcinoma, one large cell carcinoma, one hamartoma, one rounded atelectasis, one mesothelioma, and one antracosis. The scans were positive in six patients (five malignant neoplasias and one granuloma) and negative in the other four cases. Conclusion: The FDG-PET performed through a hybrid camera produces images of quality that permit identification of active infectious process. FDG-PET in association with clinical and radiological exams can differentiate malignant from benign lung neoplasias.
emission-computed tomography; lung neoplasms; lung diseases
