Fluorodeoxyglucose

Fluorodeoxyglucose (also known as FDG) is a glucose analog that is labeled with the radioactive isotope fluorine-18. It is widely used in medical imaging, particularly in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

Chemistry[edit | edit source]

FDG is a glucose analog, meaning it is structurally similar to glucose but with one key difference: one of the hydroxyl groups in glucose is replaced with a fluorine atom. This fluorine atom is typically the radioactive isotope fluorine-18, which allows the FDG to be detected during a PET scan.

Medical Use[edit | edit source]

FDG is primarily used in PET scans, a type of medical imaging that can provide detailed images of the body's internal structures. During a PET scan, the patient is injected with a small amount of FDG. The FDG is taken up by cells throughout the body, but particularly by cells that are using a lot of energy, such as cancer cells. The fluorine-18 in the FDG emits positrons, which can be detected by the PET scanner to create images of the body.

Production[edit | edit source]

FDG is produced by substituting a fluorine-18 atom for a hydroxyl group in glucose. This is typically done using a cyclotron, a type of particle accelerator. The fluorine-18 is produced by bombarding a target of oxygen-18 with protons.

Safety[edit | edit source]

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with the use of FDG. These include allergic reactions and the potential for radiation exposure. However, the amount of radiation a patient is exposed to during a PET scan is typically very small, and the benefits of the scan usually outweigh the risks.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Fluorodeoxyglucose Resources
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