Authors' objectives: 1. What is the relative clinical and cost effectiveness of PET/CT compared to alternate diagnostic imaging modalities in the investigation of PNS? 2. Assuming diagnosis using PET/CT is clinically and cost effective, at what stage should it be used in the diagnostic pathway?

Authors' recommendations: Overall, although many of the studies included within this scoping report conclude that PET/CT offers some advantages in the diagnosis of PNS, the evidence to support a response to the scoping report questions is of low quality. The six cohort studies and four case series studies identified had small sample sizes and many were retrospective. The study objectives tended to focus on the usefulness of using PET/CT subsequent to the use of other imaging techniques, rather than a direct comparison between PET/CT and other diagnostic imaging modalities. Interpretation of the evidence was made additionally challenging owing to the fact that, across the studies, PET/CT was used in a variety of different stages within the patients' diagnostic pathway

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/technologies_and_medicines/shtg_scoping_reports/technologies_scoping_report_19.aspx

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Scotland, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: Scottish Health Technologies Group

Contact Address: Scottish Health Technologies Group, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP Tel: 0141 225 6998

Contact Name: his.shtg@nhs.scot

Contact Email: his.shtg@nhs.scot

Copyright: Healthcare Improvement Scotland