Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with PET/CT: A Prospective Comparison of¹⁸F-Fluorocholine and¹⁸F-FDG in Patients with Cirrhosis or Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

(18)F-fluorocholine was significantly more sensitive than (18)F-FDG at detecting HCC, in particular in well-differentiated forms. In contrast, (18)F-FDG appeared somewhat more sensitive at detecting other malignancies and was negative in focal nodular hyperplasia. Thus (18)F-fluorocholine appears to be a useful PET/CT tracer for the detection and surveillance of HCC; however, performing PET/CT with both radiopharmaceuticals seems to be the best option.