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01-04-2012 | Oncology

Are contrast media required for (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in patients with neuroendocrine tumours of the abdomen?

Authors: Marius E. Mayerhoefer, Matthias Schuetz, Silvia Magnaldi, Michael Weber, Siegfried Trattnig, Georgios Karanikas

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 4/2012

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the value of intravenous contrast medium in (68)Ga-DOTA-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide – (68)Ga-DOTATOC – PET/CT for the detection of abdominal neuroendocrine tumours (NET).

Methods

In fifty-five patients with known or suspected NETs of the abdomen PET/CT was performed on a 64-row multi-detector hybrid system. For PET, 150 MBq of (68)Ga-DOTATOC were injected intravenously. Full-dose unenhanced, and arterial- and venous-phase contrast-enhanced CT images were obtained. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced PET/CT images were evaluated separately for the presence of NETs on a per-region basis, by two separate teams with different experience levels.

Results

On unenhanced PET/CT, sensitivity and specificity ranged from 89.3% (junior team) to 92% (senior team), and 99.1% (junior team) to 99.2% (senior team), respectively. On contrast-enhanced PET/CT, sensitivity and specificity ranged from 92.3% (junior team) to 98.5% (senior team), and 99.4% (junior team) to 99.5% (senior team), respectively. These increases in sensitivity and specificity, due to the use of contrast-enhanced images, were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Intravenous contrast medium only moderately, aleit significantly, improves the sensitivity of (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT for the detection of abdominal NETs, and hardly affects specificity. Thus, while contrast enhancement is justified to achieve maximum sensitivity, unenhanced images may be sufficient for routine PET/CT in NET patients.

Key Points

• Contrast media moderately improve the sensitivity of (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT for neuroendocrine tumours.

• Contrast media hardly affect the specificity of (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT for neuroendocrine tumours.

• Unenhanced PET/CT is sufficient for routine imaging of patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

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Title: Are contrast media required for (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in patients with neuroendocrine tumours of the abdomen?
Authors: Marius E. Mayerhoefer
Matthias Schuetz
Silvia Magnaldi
Michael Weber
Siegfried Trattnig
Georgios Karanikas
Publication date: 01-04-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2328-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Are contrast media required for (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in patients with neuroendocrine tumours of the abdomen?

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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