A Novel Application of [18F]Fluorothymidine-PET ([18F]FLT-PET) in Clinical Practice to Quantify Regional Bone Marrow Function in a Patient With Treatment-Induced Cytopenias and to Guide "Marrow-Sparing" Radiotherapy

Clin Nucl Med. 2019 Nov;44(11):e624-e626. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002785.

Abstract

F-Fluorothymidine-positron emission tomography with CT fusion ([F]FLT-PET/CT) offers a unique and non-invasive method for three-dimensional localization and quantification of functional bone marrow. [F]FLT-PET/CT has potential application in radiotherapy planning when risk of marrow toxicity is a significant clinical concern. In this patient with chemo-refractory, transformed lymphoma and treatment-induced cytopenias, [F]FLT-PET/CT was a novel and useful adjunct to (1) image the distribution of functional bone marrow reserve, (2) guide "marrow-sparing" radiotherapy planning, and (3) quantify the effects of radiotherapy-induced bone marrow suppression both in-field and out-of-field.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Cells / pathology
  • Blood Cells / radiation effects*
  • Bone Marrow / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone Marrow / physiopathology*
  • Bone Marrow / radiation effects*
  • Cell Count
  • Dideoxynucleosides*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / radiotherapy
  • Organ Sparing Treatments*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Dideoxynucleosides
  • alovudine