Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
2ND PANHELLENIC SCIENTIFIC EVENT NUCLEAR MEDICINE UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA, Ioannina, Yunanistan, 26 - 28 Eylül 2025, cilt.1, sa.2, ss.39, (Özet Bildiri)
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, reporting patterns, and clinical relevance of incidental renal findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT, and to determine whether these findings led to further diagnostic work-up or therapeutic intervention.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 301 patients who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT between March and April 2023 for oncologic indications. Renal findings were classified into morphological anomalies, collecting system abnormalities, parenchymal lesions, postsurgical changes, focal FDG uptake, and perfusion-related activity. Each case was reviewed to assess whether renal findings were reported, if further evaluation was recommended, and whether they were clinically significant. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations between renal findings and clinical variables, including age, sex, BMI, and malignancy subtype. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mean age was 63.3 years, and 147 patients (48.8%) were male. Incidental renal findings were identified in 129 patients (42.9%). The most common abnormalities were pelvicalyceal dilatation (37.2% right, 35.2% left), large cysts (17.6% right, 15.0% left), solid masses (4.3% right, 3.0% left), and atrophic kidneys (4.7% right, 5.3% left). Renal vascular atherosclerosis was present in 6.3% of cases. Significant findings were more frequent in females (p = 0.029) and in patients with melanoma (71.4%, p = 0.049). Although not statistically significant (p = 0.082), Class 1 and Class 2 obesity groups showed higher rates of clinical significance (60.0% and 53.8%, respectively).
Conclusion: Incidental renal findings are frequently encountered in 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, with a substantial proportion demonstrating clinical relevance. Our results highlight the importance of increased vigilance in female patients and those with melanoma, where significant findings were more prevalent. Although not statistically significant, the higher rates observed in obese patients also warrant attention. Since the kidney is a critical organ in the context of oncological treatment planning and toxicity risk, systematic assessment of renal structures during PET/CT interpretation is essential to ensure early detection and guide appropriate clinical management.