Introduction: Distinguishing the cellular origin of lung cancer is essential for tailored patient care. This pioneering pilot study explores the synergy of ¹H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) and 2-[¹⁸F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT) in the differentiation of primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung from Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) metastases.
Methods: Ethically approved, the study enrolled 21 participants with confirmed lung lesions (10 SCC, 11 HL). [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT and ¹H-MRS were conducted, and analyses were performed to assess diagnostic potential.
Results: Significant differences in [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT parameters (SUV _max BSA, SUV _max LBM, and ID%) between SCC and HL were observed. Metabolite concentrations (Cho, Lac, Cr) from ¹H-MRS also exhibited distinctions. Correlations between PET values and metabolite concentrations hinted at links between glucose metabolism and molecular composition. Conclusion: This study presents an innovative approach, integrating ¹H-MRS and [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT to distinguish primary from metastatic lung lesions. The results hold promise for improving non-invasive diagnostic accuracy and guiding targeted therapies. Future research should validate these findings and explore the potential for clinical integration.