Metformin discontinuation less than 72 h is suboptimal for F-18 FDG PET/CT interpretation of the bowel

Abstract

Objective: Metformin-induced [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) bowel uptake can hinder positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) evaluation of the bowel. This study aimed to investigate the segmental bowel uptake of FDG according to metformin discontinuation times up to 72 h.

Methods: We retrospectively divided 240 diabetic patients into four groups: metformin discontinuation <24 h (group A; n = 86), 24-48 h (group B; n = 40), 48-72 h (group C; n = 12), and no metformin (control group; n = 102). Segmental FDG bowel uptakes were measured visually (four-point scale) and semi-quantitatively (maximum standardized uptake value).

Results: Compared with the control group, FDG uptake increased significantly from the ileum to the rectosigmoid colon in group A, from the transverse to the rectosigmoid colon in group B, and from the descending colon to the rectosigmoid colon in group C in both visual and semi-quantitative analyses.

Conclusions: Metformin discontinuation for <72 h is likely suboptimal for PET/CT image interpretation, especially with respect to the distal segments of the colon.

Keywords: Bowel uptake; Diabetes; FDG PET/CT; Metformin.