The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review
<b>Background</b>: Different evidence on the ability of [<sup>18</sup>F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([<sup>18</sup>F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assess patients in the vegetative state (VS) or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) has been reporte...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Francesco Dondi Nicola Latronico Pietro Bellini Silvia Lucchini Luca Camoni Michela Cossandi Gian Luca Viganò Giulia Santo Francesco Bertagna |
| author_facet | Francesco Dondi Nicola Latronico Pietro Bellini Silvia Lucchini Luca Camoni Michela Cossandi Gian Luca Viganò Giulia Santo Francesco Bertagna |
| author_sort | Francesco Dondi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background</b>: Different evidence on the ability of [<sup>18</sup>F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([<sup>18</sup>F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assess patients in the vegetative state (VS) or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) has been reported. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing literature on this topic. <b>Methods</b>: A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted to find relevant published articles investigating the role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET imaging in the assessment of VS/UWS. <b>Results</b>: Thirty-seven studies were included in the review, and the main fields of application of this imaging modality in these patients were the evaluation of hypometabolic patterns, differentiation of disorders of consciousness (DOC), prognostic value, and ability to assess the response to particular stimuli. <b>Conclusions</b>: The possible role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET imaging in the assessment of VS/UWS has emerged, in particular in the differential diagnosis of other DOC or prognosis. Some insights into its value in stimulation response and therapy evaluation have also been proposed. Standardization of protocols and larger prospective studies are needed to strengthen these clinical recommendations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1166363baa74b8092f5e9daa48449bf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1166363baa74b8092f5e9daa48449bf2025-08-20T03:11:18ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-05-011511140610.3390/diagnostics15111406The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic ReviewFrancesco Dondi0Nicola Latronico1Pietro Bellini2Silvia Lucchini3Luca Camoni4Michela Cossandi5Gian Luca Viganò6Giulia Santo7Francesco Bertagna8Nuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, ASST Spedali Civili University Hospital, 25123 Brescia, ItalyNuclear Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyNuclear Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyNuclear Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyNuclear Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, UOC Ingegneria Clinica, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, “Magna Graecia” University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyNuclear Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy<b>Background</b>: Different evidence on the ability of [<sup>18</sup>F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([<sup>18</sup>F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assess patients in the vegetative state (VS) or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) has been reported. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing literature on this topic. <b>Methods</b>: A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted to find relevant published articles investigating the role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET imaging in the assessment of VS/UWS. <b>Results</b>: Thirty-seven studies were included in the review, and the main fields of application of this imaging modality in these patients were the evaluation of hypometabolic patterns, differentiation of disorders of consciousness (DOC), prognostic value, and ability to assess the response to particular stimuli. <b>Conclusions</b>: The possible role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET imaging in the assessment of VS/UWS has emerged, in particular in the differential diagnosis of other DOC or prognosis. Some insights into its value in stimulation response and therapy evaluation have also been proposed. Standardization of protocols and larger prospective studies are needed to strengthen these clinical recommendations.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/11/1406PETPET/CT<sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomographyvegetative stateunresponsive wakefulness syndrome |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Dondi Nicola Latronico Pietro Bellini Silvia Lucchini Luca Camoni Michela Cossandi Gian Luca Viganò Giulia Santo Francesco Bertagna The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review Diagnostics PET PET/CT <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography vegetative state unresponsive wakefulness syndrome |
| title | The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | The Role of [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET Imaging for the Assessment of Vegetative State or Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | role of sup 18 sup f fdg pet imaging for the assessment of vegetative state or unresponsive wakefulness syndrome a systematic review |
| topic | PET PET/CT <sup>18</sup>F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography vegetative state unresponsive wakefulness syndrome |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/11/1406 |
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