The role of 11C-Choline PET/CT scanning of the bladder in the diagnosis of late radiation cystitis (pilot study)

The aim of the study was to consider the possibilities of using ¹¹C-choline PET/CT for visual and ultrastructural assessment of bladder wall barrier functions in women with late radiation cystitis.

Materials and methods. A comprehensive examination of four women with varying visual manifestations of late radiation cystitis was conducted. The affinity of the bladder wall for ¹¹С-choline was studied using PET/CT as the standardized uptake level of labeled molecules (SUV_max) coming from urine in combination with the results of scanning electron microscopy of all bladder wall elements in a single block.

Results. It was found that the affinity of the bladder wall for labeled ¹¹С-choline molecules in late radiation cystitis correlates with the severity of ultrastructural changes in its wall, which can be used as an additional marker of bladder barrier function integrity.

Conclusion. The clinical application of our developed computer program allows urologists to obtain a probable visual and ultrastructural 3D reconstruction of all elements of the bladder wall using the digital value (SUV_max) of ¹¹С choline PET/CT.

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