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Can a breath hold PET/CT improve the detection and assessment of metastatic liver lesions?

In adults referred for positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) does the addition of a 20 second breath hold PET/CT improve the characterization of suspected liver metastases: a prospective pilot study

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12624000422527
Enrollment
3
Registered
2024-04-08
Start date
2024-10-03
Completion date
2025-08-01
Last updated
2025-09-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if the addition of a short 20 second breath hold during a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan is able to improve the characterization of metastatic liver lesions. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are a patient aged 50 years or over who has been referred for initial staging or staging of cancer any type with suspected or confirmed multiple (2 or more) liver metastases. Study details After completing the regular PET/CT that was requested by their referring specialist, participants will be asked to perform a 20-second breath hold whilst CT images are acquired. Following a short break where they are allowed to breathe normally, participants will be asked to perform another 20-second breath hold for PET image acquisition. We will assess the total number of liver lesions, as well as their size and metabolic activity and compare the breath hold images with the standard whole body PET/CT images. It is hoped that findings from this study will help inform researchers of the utility of breath holds in improving detection of metastases during PET/CT imaging.

Interventions

All patients will undergo the intervention at the end of their standard whole-body PET/CT, thus no additional F18-FDG is required. The intervention in no way affects the diagnostic accuracy of the control and vice versa. The participant will be instructed by the nuclear medicine technician to perform several deep breaths, then a single deep inspiration following a short countdown from 5 seconds. A low dose non contrast CT of the upper abdomen will be performed (50mAs tube voltage, 120kV tube cur

All patients will undergo the intervention at the end of their standard whole-body PET/CT, thus no additional F18-FDG is required. The intervention in no way affects the diagnostic accuracy of the control and vice versa. The participant will be instructed by the nuclear medicine technician to perform several deep breaths, then a single deep inspiration following a short countdown from 5 seconds. A low dose non contrast CT of the upper abdomen will be performed (50mAs tube voltage, 120kV tube current, 3mm slice thickness, 2mm increments, diaphragm to inferior liver margin approximately 25cm). Once this breath hold CT is complete, the participant will be asked to regain their breath. After 30 seconds, they will be instructed by the nuclear medicine technician to perform several deep breaths, then a single deep inspiration following a short countdown from 5 seconds. Once at full inspiration by visual confirmation, PET data is acquired in a single bed position of the upper abdomen. After 20 seconds as timed using a digital stopwatch by the nuclear medicine technician, the patient will be instructed to breathe normally. If the breath is interrupted during the PET acquisition, a repeat attempt will be performed. If failed a second time, breath hold will be abandoned. Adherence to the intervention is controlled by the study investigators, nuclear medicine technicians and supervising radiologist/nuclear medicine physician. Interrupted breath hold for CT is not repeated, in order to ensure minimal radiation to the patient. Interrupted breath hold for PET will be repeated once only, after this the intervention will be abandoned. Patients are reviewed by a nurse following their standard PET/CT to ensure participant wellness and normal vital observations, which will occur in this study. This is standard care following a PET/CT. No specific additional post-trial provisions are planned.

Sponsors

Tony Bose
Lead SponsorIndividual

Study design

Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Age 50 years and over. Referred for initial staging or restaging of cancer any type with suspected or confirmed multiple liver metastases (two or more). Able to breath hold for at least 20 seconds

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant or breastfeeding Recent imaging (CT or MR) within 90 days reporting a reduction in metastatic liver tumour size and/or number.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026