Usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in monitoring adhesive capsulitis after breast cancer treatment

Objectives We aimed to assess the usefulness of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) in the monitoring of adhesive capsulitis (AC), a joint problem commonly observed in the upper arm after breast cancer treatment. Methods This retrospective study included 230 patients who underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT before and after modified radical mastectomy of whom 22 patients were identified as having AC and categorized into 2 groups: with severely and mildly limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. The 18 F-FDG uptake patterns and mean and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) were analyzed. Results The overall incidence of AC after MRM was 9.57%. The SUVs were significantly higher in patients with severely limited range of motion compared with the other group. There was no association between the SUV and radiotherapy. The 18 F-FDG uptake pattern differed between the groups. Conclusions 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is useful in evaluating AC after breast cancer treatment.