Embryo/Fetus Doses from 18F-Fludeoxyglucose Radiopharmaceutical in Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography

Abstract

Aim: The embryo/fetus may be accidentally exposed to ionizing radiation. The aim of this study is to calculate embryo/fetus doses in pregnant women who underwent F-18 fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan. Materials and Methods: Between June 2015 and June 2021, 15 pregnant women underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT applied to the Genetic Research Center (GETAM). The OLINDA/EXM package program was used for internal radiation dosimetry according to the Medical Internal Radiation Dose scheme. FetDose V4 computer software was used to compute the embryo/fetus absorbed dose from CT scan. Results: The amount of the injected F-18 FDG activity to patients varied between 333 and 555 MBq. The mean embryo/fetal dose from F-18 FDG was 7.2 ± 2.8 mGy. In addition, the CT component dose to the embryo/fetus dose ranged from 8.5 to 16 mGy with a mean of 12.14 ± 2.05. Conclusions: The embryo/fetus dose from F-18 FDG PET/CT was <15 mGy, however, questioning the women's childbearing prior to scintigraphy is the first-line strategy to avoid accidental radiation exposure and stochastic risks.

Ultra-low foetal radiation exposure in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging with a long axial field-of-view PET/CT system

“…Furthermore, we reduced the foetal dose from the LDCT scan for AC to 0.90 mGy when the foetus was included in the FOV. This is markedly lower compared with the study of Işıkçı et al [4] that observed radiation exposure from CT scans on the foetus ranging between 8.5 and 16.0 mGy. Moreover, advancements such as the use of tin filters during LDCT acquisition could dramatically reduce radiation exposure for AC by as much as 90%, as recently demonstrated by Mostafapour et al [10].…”

“…F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose ( 18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is widely used in oncology for diagnoses, staging and treatment response evaluation [1,2]. However, in pregnant patients, the use of 18 F-FDG PET/ CT imaging can cause a dilemma because of the radiation exposure to the foetus [3,4]. Therefore, it is crucial to minimize the radiation exposure to the foetus when performing an 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan.…”