Case Studies
NCPIC's Extended FOV Protocol
Understanding extended brain coverage for improved neuro oncologic lesion detection
Case Study: Why Extended Field-of-View Matters
Lung Cancer with Intracranial Metastasis
A patient with biopsy-proven left upper-lobe lung cancer underwent FDG PET/CT for initial staging. The exam confirmed the primary malignancy and extensive peripheral metastatic disease and identified an FDG-avid right intracranial mass measuring 2.2 cm (SUV max 32.6), highly suspicious for brain metastasis.
Did You Know?
The standard oncologic PET/CT code, CPT 78815, refers to imaging from the skull base to mid-thigh, with the brain not intentionally included or diagnostically evaluated? This conventional field of view may limit staging accuracy when intracranial metastatic disease is present.
Clinical Impact
This case demonstrates the clinical value of NCPIC's extended head-to-thigh imaging protocol, which expands beyond the standard skull base-to-mid-thigh acquisition (CPT 78815) to include the entire brain. Intracranial metastasis may be excluded or missed under conventional protocols.
- Full brain inclusion improves staging accuracy at initial diagnosis.
- Reduces need for additional imaging and delays in care.
- Supports more confident, informed treatment planning.
NCPIC Protocol Advantage
NCPIC's standard oncology PET/CT protocol extends beyond conventional CPT 78815 coverage to include full head-to-thigh imaging, improving extracranial staging completeness and reducing the risk of missed disease outside the brain. (However, assessment of intracranial metastases may still require a contrast-enhanced brain MRI or CT when clinically indicated).
Locations
Sacramento
Rocklin