IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté nucléaire)
Guides technique - Programmes de radioprotection dans les transports.
Sources : http://www.irsn.org
UNICARE - Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and PET/CT Fusion
Medically Necessary:
Positron emission tomography (PET) is considered medically necessary for the following conditions when the
results of the test can reasonably be expected to influence the clinical management of the patient. Neurologic
Applications:Identification and/or localization of seizure foci in patients who are surgical candidates for
neurosurgical treatment of intractable epilepsy. Cardiac Applications:1. To assess myocardial viability in
those with severe left ventricular dysfunction to determine candidacy for a cardiac surgery procedure
including CABG, PTCA and transplantation. 2. To assess myocardial perfusion performed at rest or with
pharmaceutical stress in the diagnosis of coronary disease. PET Scanning is used to diagnose and/or
determine the severity of coronary artery disease when any of the following are present: a. Unavailable or
inconclusive SPECT Scan, or b. Body habitus or other conditions for which SPECT may have attenuation
problems (e.g., obesity, large breasts, left mastectomy, breast implant, chest wall deformity, left pleural or
pericardial effusion, circulatory problems in inferior-septal areas of the heart) or other technical difficulty
(extensive prior myocardial infarction), or c. Conditions for which angiography may be technically challenging
(e.g., low to intermediate probability of coronary artery disease, borderline stenosis) or associated with high
risk for morbidity (allergy to contrast medium, poor arterial access, renal dysfunction for which angiography
increases the likelihood of renal failure). Oncologic Applications: PET scans with or without PET/CT fusion
are considered medically necessary for the following oncologic indications:1. To evaluate head and neck
cancer (excluding thyroid and CNS cancers) in the following clinical situations: a. Identifying an unknown
primary cancer suspected to be head and neck cancer in patients presenting with disease metastatic to the
cervical lymph nodes. b. In patients with known head and neck cancer, as a technique of staging the cervical
lymph nodes and assessing resectability of the tumor. c. For detecting residual/recurrent head and neck
cancer in patients being followed after treatment. 2. To detect recurrence of thyroid carcinoma in patients with
negative I131 scanning results but elevated serum thyroglobulin concentrations. 3. To differentiate radiation
necrosis from recurrent tumor in a patient with an intracranial lesion visible on CT or MRI who has previously
been treated for a brain tumor, or to stage or assess response to treatment. 4. Evaluation of solitary
pulmonary nodules when conventional non-invasive methods (including x-ray and CT evaluation) have failed
to distinguish between benign and malignant disease. 5. As a staging technique in patients with known
non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. 6. For assessing spread of malignant melanoma beyond the lymph
nodes (extranodal) at initial staging or during follow-up treatment. PET Scanning may be the sole imaging
technique in melanoma. 7. For staging or restaging lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s). 8. For
localization of recurrent ovarian cancer with rising CA-125 levels and negative or equivocal CT imaging. 9.
For restaging disease in patients with a history of testicular cancer and post-treatment signs or symptoms
suggestive of residual or recurrent disease (e.g., elevated alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], placental alkaline
phosphatase [PLAP], hCG, LDH) and negative or equivocal CT imaging. 10. Staging of confirmed
esophageal cancer when PET is used as an adjunct method of assessment when conventional radiographic
and endoscopic techniques are negative, inconclusive, or non-diagnostic. 11. Colorectal cancer: a. to detect
and assess resectability of hepatic or extrahepatic metastases of colorectal cancer. b. to detect recurrence of
colorectal cancer in patients with rising CEA levels and/or in patients who present with signs and symptoms
of recurrence. c. to assess scarring vs. local bowel recurrence in patients with previously resected colorectal
cancer. 12. To differentiate between malignant and benign pancreatic lesions. 13. Cervical Cancer for staging
or restaging 14. Breast cancer: a. to evaluate the presence of metastases in high risk patients (grade 2B or
greater) where standard imaging is inconclusive. b. in patients of any stage in whom progressive disease is
suspected on the basis of rising markers when standard imaging is inconclusive. c. for monitoring tumor
response in those patients in whom PET scans have been established as the only technique to follow
disease. 15. Musculoskeletal Neoplasms: a. for differentiation of benign versus malignant primary
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