The effect of hepatic steatosis on 18F-FDG uptake in PET-CT examinations of cancer Egyptian patients.

Background: Hepatic steatosis is the most common chronic hepatic disease. Imaging diagnosis of hepatic steatosis has been evaluated as an alternative to invasive histological diagnosis.

Study aims: The study aimed to assess the effect of hepatic steatosis on Flourine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptakes in cancer patients.

Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from 50 cancer patients and analyzed to calculate fatty liver index and Hepatic steatosis index (HIS). Hepatic steatosis examined using high-resolution ultrasound and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Linear attenuation coefficient, standardized-uptake value (SUV) mean (SUV mean), and SUV maximum (SUVmax) were measured. Accordingly, patients were divided equally into non-fatty liver, and fatty liver groups.

Results: A significant increase in SUVmax and SUV mean was observed in the fatty liver group more than in the non-fatty liver group. HSI significantly increased in the fatty liver group compared to the non-fatty liver group. Liver tissue uptake FDG was significantly correlated with HSI values. SUV max significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) in the non-fatty group only.

Conclusion: Hepatic changes in cancer patients affect the liver metabolic activity and thus the 18 F-FDG uptake. Therefore, further corrections should be considered when the liver is used as a comparator for PET-CT scans of cancer patients.