Patient-specific analysis of positron emission tomography data

A method for evaluating tissue for abnormal glucose uptake within a region of interest within a patient, the method comprising:

• performing a positron emission tomography (PET) scan at an associated PET scanner to provide a set of at least one PET image of the region of interest and at least a portion of a liver of the patient;
• calculating a first set of at least one standard uptake value (SUV) representing the region of interest and a second set of at least one SUV representing the liver;
• calculating a correction value as a function of the second set of at least one SUV;
• applying the correction value to a chosen one of a decision threshold associated with the region of interest and the first set of at least one SUVs;
• and
• comparing the first set of SUVs to the decision threshold associated with the region of interest.

A system comprising an operatively connected set of at least one non-transitory computer readable medium, each non-transitory medium being operatively connected to at least one associated processor and storing machine executable instructions, executable by the at least one associated processor to evaluate tissue for abnormal glucose uptake within a region of interest within a patient, the machine executable instructions comprising:

• a client interface configured to receive a first set of at least one SUV representing the region of interest and a second set of at least one SUV from the hepatic parenchyma;
• a standardization component configured to calculate a correction value as a function of the second set of at least one SUV and apply the correction value to a chosen one of a decision. threshold associated with the region of interest and the first set of at least one SUVs;
• and
• a diagnosis component configured to compare the first set of SUVs to the decision threshold associated with the region of interest to determine if the glucose uptake within the region of interest is abnormal;
• wherein the client interface is configured to provide the determination if the glucose uptake within the region of interest is abnormal to an associated client device.