title: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in neuroectodermal tumours: first experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phaeochromocytoma is initially imaged with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but functional imaging is commonly needed to assess disease activity, the presence of metastasis and response to therapy. Traditionally, this is done with 123I -MIBG with good sensitivity and specificity. However, spatial resolution remains limited even with SPECT. We aimed to assess the utility of a new somatostatin analogue PET tracer, 68Ga-DOTATATE in the management of phaeochromocytoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed five patients with malignant phaeochromocytoma who underwent imaging with CT and 123I-MIBG and compared the results with those of PET imaging using 68Ga-DOTATATE. Blinded analysis of the numbers and extent of lesions were done for all imaging modality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients had negative 123I-MIBG and positive 68Ga-DOTATATE scans. One had a weakly positive 123I-MIBG and a strongly positive 68Ga-DOTATATE scan. One had a positive 123I-MIBG and positive 68Ga-DOTATATE scans. The fifth patient was negative to all imaging including CT. 68Ga-DOTATATE showed more lesions with higher uptake and better resolution compared to 123I-MIBG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings in our small group of patients demonstrate the value of somatostatin receptor PET imaging in malignant phaeochromocytoma. In lesions with no or low MIBG uptake, the next investigation of choice should be PET imaging with 68Ga-DOTATATE, in view to therapy with Y-labelled DOTATATE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Zarni
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Win
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Nahhas
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Towey
authors.forename: Jeannie F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubello
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lewington
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gishen
mesh_terms: D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; C513399:gallium Ga 68 dotatate