The Role of 68Ga-DOTA-Octreotate PET/CT in Follow-Up of SDH-Associated Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

  • Grace Kong
  • , Tess Schenberg
  • , Christopher J. Yates
  • , Alison Trainer
  • , Nirupa Sachithanandan
  • , Amir Iravani
  • , Aravind Ravi Kumar
  • , Michael S. Hofman
  • , Tim Akhurst
  • , Michael Michael
  • , Rodney J. Hicks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Germline succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) mutation carriers, especially SDHB, are at increased risk for malignancy and require life-long surveillance. Current guidelines recommend periodic whole-body MRI imaging. We assessed the incremental value of 68Ga-DOTA-octreotate (GaTate) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT compared with conventional imaging in such patients. Methods: SDHx mutation carriers who had GaTate PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed. Detection of lesions were compared with MRI or CT on a per-patient and per-lesion basis. Proof of lesions were based on histopathology or clinical/imaging follow-up. Results: Twenty consecutive patients (median age, 46 years; 10 males) were reviewed. Fourteen patients had SDHB, four, SDHD, one SDHC, and one SDHA mutation. Fifteen had prior surgery and/or radiotherapy. Indications for PET/CT were as follows: 7 patients for surveillance for previously treated disease, 9 residual disease, 2 asymptomatic mutation carriers, and 2 for elevated catecholamines. Median time between modalities was 1.5 months. GaTate PET/CT had higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional imaging. On a per-patient basis: PET/CT sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%; MRI/CT 85% and 50%. Per-lesion basis: PET/CT sensitivity 100%, specificity 75%; MRI/CT 80% and 25%. PET/CT correctly identified additional small nodal and osseous lesions. MRI/CT had more false-positive findings. Change of management resulted in 40% (8/20 patients): 3 received localized treatment instead of observation, 1 changed to observation given extra disease detected, 4 with metastases had radionuclide therapy. Conclusions: GaTate PET/CT provided incremental diagnostic information with consequent management impact in SDHx-pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Incorporating this modality as part of a surveillance program seems prudent. Further research is needed to define the optimal surveillance strategy including use of MRI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5091-5099
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume104
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019

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