18F-FDG PET/CT examination procedures may be optimized with improved patient information and care.
Web-based educational information regarding upcoming FDG-PET/CT scans can ease patient concern and improve experience, according to a study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Researchers from Sweden investigated the effect of web-based patient information on patient satisfaction with care during an 18F-FDG PET/CT examination, their knowledge about the examination and the image quality, compared with standard care, and to explore the usage of and satisfaction with web-based information.
A total of 148 patients participated in the trial. They were randomly assigned to Standard Care (SC) or an Intervention Group (IG). The patients in the SC received information about the 18F-FDG PET/CT examination according to standard care. Those in the IG also received access to web-based information about the examination. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction, knowledge and discomfort and a blinded image quality assessment was conducted.
The results showed that overall satisfaction was high in both the IG and SC, although only 54 of the 75 patients (72 percent) actually accessed the web-based information prior to their examination. The lowest satisfaction concerned the information about how the patients would receive the results about the PET/CT examination. More patients in IG than SC knew how the 18F-FDG PET/CT examination was conducted. Descriptive data suggest that image quality was slightly better in IG than SC, but there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding any of the outcomes.
The IG patients who did use the web-based information indicated they were satisfied and found it helpful.
The researchers concluded that the effects of web-based information need to be investigated in a larger sample of patients because improved information before an 18F-FDG PET/CT examination may increase patient knowledge and help them to prepare and undergo the examination. It may also improve image quality.
Stay at the forefront of radiology with the Diagnostic Imaging newsletter, delivering the latest news, clinical insights, and imaging advancements for today’s radiologists.
The Reading Room Podcast: A Closer Look at Remote MRI Safety, Part 2
July 25th 2025In the second of a multi-part podcast episode, Emanuel Kanal, M.D. and Tobias Gilk, MRSO, MRSE, share their perspectives on remote MRI safety protocols for ensuring screening accuracy and adherence to conditional implant guidelines as well as a rapid and effective response to adverse events.
Study Reveals Significant Prevalence of Abnormal PET/MRI and Dual-Energy CT Findings with Long Covid
July 22nd 2025In a prospective study involving nearly 100 patients with Long Covid, 57 percent of patients had PET/MRI abnormalities and 90 percent of the cohort had abnormalities on dual-energy CT scans.
The Reading Room Podcast: Current and Emerging Insights on Abbreviated Breast MRI, Part 2
July 23rd 2025In the second part of a multi-part podcast episode, Stamatia Destounis, MD, Emily Conant, MD and Habib Rahbar, MD, discuss key sequences for abbreviated breast MRI and how it stacks up to other breast cancer screening modalities.
Stroke MRI Study Assesses Impact of Motion Artifacts Upon AI and Radiologist Lesion Detection
July 16th 2025Noting a 7.4 percent incidence of motion artifacts on brain MRI scans for suspected stroke patients, the authors of a new study found that motion artifacts can reduce radiologist and AI accuracy for detecting hemorrhagic lesions.