FDG-positron emission tomography/computed tomography and standardized uptake value in the primary diagnosis and staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

After conventional staging including diagnostic laparoscopy, the additional value of PET/CT is limited. This somewhat disappointing finding may reflect the fact that extensive staging studies were carried out prior to PET/CT. The SUV potentially predicts patients with distant metastases and may differentiate between HCCA and benign lesions that mimic malignancies.