Standardized uptake value

3-dimensional [18F]FDG-PET image with 3D ROI generated by a threshold based algorithm. The blue dot in the MIP image bottom right marks the maximum SUV within the ROI.

The standardized uptake value (SUV) is a nuclear medicine term, used in positron emission tomography (PET) as well as in modern calibrated single photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging for a semiquantitative analysis.[1] Its use is particularly common in the analysis of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) images of cancer patients. It can also be used with other PET agents especially when no arterial input function is available for more detailed pharmacokinetic modeling. Otherwise measures like the fractional uptake rate (FUR) or parameters from more advanced pharmacokinetic modeling may be preferable.

Abnormal SUV values indicate variations in metabolic activity and thus can provide identifying areas of interest, like tumors or regions of inflammation. [2]

The SUV is the ratio of the image-derived radioactivity concentration cimg and the whole body concentration of the injected radioactivity cinj,

  1. ^ G. Lucignani; G. Paganelli; E. Bombardieri (2004). "The use of standardized uptake values for assessing FDG uptake with PET in oncology: A clinical perspective". Nuclear Medicine Communications. 25 (7): 651–656. doi:10.1097/01.mnm.0000134329.30912.49. PMID 15208491. S2CID 38728335.
  2. ^ Mah, Katherine; Caldwell, Curtis B. (2008-01-01), Paulino, Arnold C.; Teh, Bin S. (eds.), "chapter 4 - Biological Target Volume", PET-CT in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning, Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 52–89, ISBN 978-1-4160-3224-3, retrieved 2023-11-17