Dual-time point and TAC analysis of FDG-PET imaging to differentiate malignancies from inflammation in mouse models

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of both the Dual-time point PET imaging and the Time Activity Curve (TAC) in dynamic PET imaging in differentiating tumor and inflammation (both subcutaneous and in situ). Methods: Dynamic FDG-PET was performed on 23 female mice inoculated with tumor or inflammation subcutaneously or inside the lung. Values of Retention Index (RI) as a metric in the dual-time analysis and curvature of TAC were obtained. Results: Values of RI showed no significant difference between various experimental groups, while values of curvature showed significant difference between subcutaneous tumor and inflammation, tumors at different locations (subcutaneous and in situ), and inflammations at different locations (subcutaneous and in situ). Conclusions: Dual-time analysis requires more work in deciding the two time points. Compared to the dual-point analysis with current settings, analyzing the shape of TAC has a higher sensitivity for differentiating malignancies from inflammations.