An atlas of glucose uptake across the entire human body as measured by the total-body PET/CT scanner: a pilot study

Abstract Glucose uptake differs in organs and tissues across the human body. To date, however, there has been no single atlas providing detailed glucose uptake profiles across the entire human body. Therefore, we aimed to generate a detailed profile of glucose uptake across the entire human body using the uEXPLORER positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner, which offers the opportunity to collect glucose metabolic imaging quickly and simultaneously in all sites of the body. The standardized uptake value normalized by lean body mass (SUL) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) was used as a measure of glucose uptake. We developed a fingerprint of glucose uptake reflecting the mean SULs of major organs and parts across the entire human body in 15 healthy-weight and 18 overweight subjects. Using the segmentation of organs and body parts from the atlas, we uncovered the significant impacts of age, sex, and obesity on glucose uptake in organs and parts across the entire body. A difference was recognized between the right and left side of the body. Overall, we generated a total-body glucose uptake atlas that could be used as the reference for the diagnosis and evaluation of disordered states involving dysregulated glucose metabolism.