Functional imaging in phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma with 68Ga-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine

Abstract

Our analysis in this relatively small patient cohort indicates that (68)Ga-DOTA-TOC PET may be superior to (123)I-MIBG gamma-scintigraphy and even to the reference CT/MRI technique in providing particularly valuable information for pretherapeutic staging of phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma.

Could 68Ga-somatostatin analogues replace other PET tracers in evaluating extra-adrenal paragangliomas?

“…Recent articles in the literature assessed the diagnostic accuracy of somatostatin receptor PET/CT using different somatostatin analogues labelled with 68 Ga ( 68 Ga-DOTATATE, 68 Ga-DOTANOC and 68 Ga-DOTATOC) in patients with extraadrenal PGL [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], based on the increased expression of somatostatin receptors in PGL neoplastic cells [18].…”

“…About 68 Ga-DOTATOC, the group in Innsbruck previously reported the uptake of this radiopharmaceutical in some cases of extra-adrenal PGL [15,16].…”

Ga-68 Somatostatin Receptor PET/CT in von Hippel-Lindau Disease

“…In a recent study, Ga-68 DOTA-TOC PET/CT was proven to be superior to I-123 MIBG scintigraphy for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma [16]. Most of the lesions in VHL disease are treatable by surgical resection.…”

Could 68Ga-somatostatin analogues be an important alternative to 18F-DOPA PET/CT in pediatrics?

“…Although, this radiotracer remains not largely available, its routine use is increasing in clinical practice, and it should be considered as an important diagnostic option in those Nuclear Medicine Departments highly specialized in pediatrics. The principal limitation of 18 F-DOPA is its high cost due to its not efficient production. Indeed, synthesis of 18 F-DOPA has generally been realized using an electrophilic approach.…”

“…Indeed, synthesis of 18 F-DOPA has generally been realized using an electrophilic approach. However, this electrophilic strategy produces only low amounts (0.6-2.6 GBq) of 18 F-DOPA even when using expensive production methods [5,6].…”