What patient condition could interfere with accurate PET scan results using FDG?

Uncontrolled blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes can significantly interfere with the accuracy of PET scan results using FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). FDG is a radiotracer that mimics glucose and is taken up by cells that have high metabolic activity, such as cancer cells.

In the context of uncontrolled diabetes, elevated blood glucose levels can result in increased competition for FDG uptake. High blood sugar may lead to decreased FDG accumulation in tissues because the cells prioritize the utilization of glucose from the bloodstream over the radiotracer. This can cause false-negative results, where cancerous lesions that would normally show increased FDG uptake may appear normal due to the presence of high circulating glucose levels. Therefore, for accurate PET imaging, it is crucial for patients with diabetes to have their blood sugar levels well-controlled prior to undergoing the scan.

Hypertension, hypoglycemia, and osteoporosis do not have the same direct impact on the metabolism and utilization of FDG as uncontrolled diabetes does, which is why they are less relevant in this context.