For avid glucose tumors, the SUV peak is the most reliable parameter for [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT quantification, regardless of acquisition time

BACKGROUND: This study is an assessment of the impact of acquisition times on SUV with [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT on healthy livers (reference organ with stable uptake over time) and on tumors. METHODS: One hundred six [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT were acquired in list mode over a single-bed position (livers (n = 48) or on tumors (n = 58)). Six independent datasets of different durations were reconstructed (from 1.5 to 10 min). SUV(max) (hottest voxel), SUV(peak) (maximum average SUV within a 1-cm(3) spherical volume), and SUV(average) were measured within a 3-cm-diameter volume of interest (VOI) in the right lobe of the liver. For [(18)F]FDG avid tumors (SUV(max) ≥ 5), the SUV(max), SUV(peak), and SUV(41%) (isocontour threshold method) were computed. RESULTS: For tumors, SUV(peak) values did not vary with acquisition time. SUV(max) displayed significant differences between 1.5- and 5–10-min reconstruction times. SUV(41%) was the most time-dependent parameter. For the liver, the SUV(average) was the sole parameter that did not vary over time. CONCLUSIONS: For [(18)F]FDG avid tumors, with short acquisition times, i.e., with new generations of PET systems, the SUV(peak) may be more robust than the SUV(max). The SUV(average) over a 3-cm-diameter VOI in the right lobe of the liver appears to be a good method for a robust and reproducible assessment of the hepatic metabolism.