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01-02-2012 | Oncology

Evaluation of the potential of PET-MRI fusion for detection of liver metastases in patients with neuroendocrine tumours

Authors: Nils F. Schreiter, Munenobu Nogami, Ingo Steffen, Ulrich-Frank Pape, Bernd Hamm, Winfried Brenner, Rainer Röttgen

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

Objectives

This study was performed to assess the role of retrospective PET-MRI fusion with Ga-68-DOTA(0)-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide (Ga-68-DOTATOC) PET and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI in the detection of hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours (NET).

Methods

Twenty-two consecutive patients with suspected liver metastases from histopathologically proven NET were examined with Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI and multiphase contrast-enhanced Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT. PET and MRI images were retrospectively fused using commercially available software. Two physicians experienced in nuclear medicine and radiology analysed the images to assess diagnostic confidence and characterise liver lesions.

Results

A total of 181 lesions were detected. PET-MRI showed a sensitivity of 91.2% (significantly superior to PET/CT; P < 0.05) and a specificity of 95.6% (significantly superior to MRI; P < 0.05). PET/CT had a sensitivity of 73.5% and a specificity of 88.2%. MRI had a sensitivity of 87.6% and a specificity of 86.8%. The area under the curve was 0.98 for PET-MRI, 0.96 for MRI, and 0.89 for PET/CT (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Retrospectively fused PET-MRI was superior to multiphase contrast-enhanced Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI in the detection of NET liver metastases. It was more sensitive than PET/CT and more specific than MRI. Fused PET-MRI therefore seems well suited for surgical and interventional treatment planning of NET liver metastases.

Key Points

• Ga-68-DOTATOC PET–Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI fusion can improve imaging of liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumours.

• This technique appears more sensitive than PET/CT for staging NET hepatic metastases.

• Ga-68-DOTATOC PET–Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI fusion is more specific than MRI alone.

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Title: Evaluation of the potential of PET-MRI fusion for detection of liver metastases in patients with neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Nils F. Schreiter
Munenobu Nogami
Ingo Steffen
Ulrich-Frank Pape
Bernd Hamm
Winfried Brenner
Rainer Röttgen
Publication date: 01-02-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2266-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of the potential of PET-MRI fusion for detection of liver metastases in patients with neuroendocrine tumours

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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