View source for Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F)

'''Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F)'''

'''Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F)''' (pronounced: floor-oh-dee-ox-ee-gloo-kose), often abbreviated as '''FDG''', is a radiopharmaceutical used in the medical imaging modality [[Positron Emission Tomography]] (PET). It is an analogue of glucose, but with the hydroxyl group replaced by [[18F]]-fluorine. 

==Etymology==
The term "Fluorodeoxyglucose" is derived from its chemical structure. "Fluoro" refers to the presence of fluorine, "deoxy" indicates the absence of a hydroxyl group (OH), and "glucose" is the sugar molecule to which the fluorine is attached. The "(18F)" denotes the specific isotope of fluorine used.

==Usage==
FDG is used as a tracer in [[PET Scans|PET scan]] to assess areas of high glucose metabolism, as these areas absorb more of the tracer. This is particularly useful in oncology, as cancer cells often have increased glucose metabolism compared to normal cells. 

==Synthesis==
FDG is synthesized by substituting the hydroxyl group at the 2' position in glucose for [[18F]]-fluorine. This is typically done using a cyclotron.

==Related Terms==
* [[Radiopharmaceutical]]
* [[Positron Emission Tomography|PET Scan]]
* [[Glucose]]
* [[18F]]

==See Also==
* [[Radiology]]
* [[Nuclear Medicine]]
* [[Oncology]]

[[Category:Radiopharmaceuticals]]
[[Category:Medical Imaging]]
[[Category:Nuclear Medicine]]
[[Category:Oncology]]

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