RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of comprehensive application of CT and PET/CT in differential diagnosing mucinous and non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CT and PET/CT image data of 37 patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma and 50 patients with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Differences of image were compared between two methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On CT, lesion density of pre-contrast, pro-contrast phase and enhancement degree were significantly lower in mucinous adenocarcinoma than those in non-mucinous adenocarcinoma(all P<0.01). Enhancement degree of hypointense area, hypointense area proportion of total lesion, and lymphatic or distant metastasis ratio were significantly higher in mucinous adenocarcinoma than those in non-mucinous adenocarcinoma(all P<0.05). On PET/CT, maximal SUV value of mucinous adenocarcinoma was significantly lower as compared to non-mucinous adenocarcinoma[(8.64±4.34) Bq/L vs. (12.38±5.96) Bq/L, P=0.015].</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CT combined with PET/CT provides better valuable information in differential diagnosing between mucinous and non-mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma and clinical practice.</p>