Incidental finding of malignancy in patients preoperatively evaluated for aneurysm wall pathology using PET/CT

J Vasc Surg. 2009 May;49(5):1313-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2008.12.001.

Abstract

Preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed in 26 consecutive patients considered fit for aneurysm repair. Besides information on aneurysm wall pathology, PET/CT identified 6 patients with concomitant malignancy. As a result of this coincidental finding, the operation was postponed in 2 patients and cancelled in 1. Although previous studies have shown that PET/CT might affect patient selection based on aneurysm wall inflammation, our preliminary results show a big impact on patient management as a result of the sensitivity of PET/CT for detecting malignancy. Future larger studies are warranted to investigate the effect and cost effectiveness of routine PET/CT in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Preoperative Care
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures