Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET to determine regional cerebral glucose utilization: a re-examination.

Abstract

tative measurement of regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCMRglc) was first developed about 16 yr ago for use with single-photon emission scanning (1 ) and shortly thereafter adapted for use with PET (2). The procedures for its imple mentation were accommodated to the state-of-the-art resources and equipment then available. Since then, there have been major technological advances in instrumentation and new insights developed from its use which make possible alternative strategies for determining rCMRglc with (‘8F)FDGand PET (3). This historical evolution has led to some confusion in the field about how best to apply the method, and after 16 yr of experience and new developments, it is time to re-examine the state of the field. The aim of this review is to examine recent developments that bear on optimal implementation of the (‘8FJFDG method and to recommend standardproceduresfor data acquisition and analysis that may help to reduce variability and improve reliability ofthe values for rCMRglc obtained with the method.