title: Diagnostic role of 18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism:  a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies have reported the applications of F-dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-DOPA) PET in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). The aim of this study was to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic role of F-DOPA PET in patients with CHI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive computer literature search of studies on F-DOPA PET or PET/computed tomography (CT) in patients with CHI was conducted. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of F-DOPA PET or PET/CT in patients with CHI were calculated. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was calculated to measure the accuracy of F-DOPA PET or PET/CT in patients with CHI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten studies comprising 181 patients with CHI were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of F-DOPA PET and PET/CT in detecting CHI was 88% on a per-patient-based analysis. The pooled specificity of F-DOPA PET and PET/CT in demonstrating CHI was 79%. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.92 on a per-patient-based analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with CHI, F-DOPA PET or PET/CT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. F-DOPA PET and PET/CT are accurate methods for the diagnosis of CHI. Nevertheless, possible sources of false-positive and false-negative results should be kept in mind.
authors: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
authors: Jigang
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Ruirui
authors: R
authors: Hao
authors: Xiaohua
authors: X
authors: Zhu
mesh_terms: D044903:Congenital Hyperinsulinism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control
chemical_list: C043437:fluorodopa F 18; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine