Objective：

To evaluate the value of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the diagnosis of rib metastasis.

Methods:

From May 2016 to November 2016

SPECT/CT fusion imaging and follow-up diagnosis of rib metastasis were performed in 21 patients with 42 rib metastasis lesions and 12 patients with 22 rib injury lesions. The contralateral normal ribs were used as controls

and SUVmax values were measured. t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed.

Results:

The mean SUVmax was 24.05 (SD=11.84) in the metastasis group

13.71 (

SD=5.61) in the injury group

and 5.25 (SD=1.63) in the control group. There were significant differences among three groups (P0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.990 and the cutoff value was 7.96 when SUVmax was used to diagnose rib lesions. But the area under the ROC curve was 0.808 and the cutoff value was 20.45 when SUVmax was used to diagnose rib metastasis.

Conclusion:

SUVmax is more valuable in SPECT/CT fusion imaging for the diagnosis of rib metastasis.