Contribution of positron emission tomography in pleural disease

Abstract

Introduction: Positron emission tomography (PET) now plays a clear role in oncology, especially in chest tumours. We discuss the value of metabolic imaging in characterising pleural pathology in the light of our own experience and review the literature.

Background: PET is particularly useful in characterising malignant pleural pathologies and is a factor of prognosis in mesothelioma. Metabolic imaging also provides clinical information for staging lung cancer, in researching the primary tumour in metastatic pleurisy and in monitoring chronic or recurrent pleural pathologies.

Conclusions: PET should therefore be considered as a useful tool in the diagnosis of liquid or solid pleural pathologies.