An Exocrine Pancreatic Stress Test with (11)C-Acetate PET and Secretin Stimulation.
The purpose of this study was to develop a noninvasive imaging test of pancreatic exocrine function.


METHODS
In this pilot study, 5 healthy volunteers underwent two 60-min dynamic (11)C-acetate PET studies, one before and one after intravenous secretin administration. Kinetic analysis of the pancreas was performed using a 1-compartment model and an image-derived input function. From summed images, standardized uptake values were measured from the pancreas and the liver, and the pancreas-to-liver ratio was computed.


RESULTS
The baseline k1 and k2 data for all 5 volunteers were consistent. After secretin stimulation, the k1 and k2 significantly increased (paired t test P = 0.046 and P = 0.023, respectively). In the summed PET images, the pancreas-to-liver ratio decreased (P = 0.037). Increased (11)C-acetate activity was observed in the duodenum after secretin stimulation consistent with secretin-induced secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
(11)C-acetate PET studies with secretin stimulation show potential as a noninvasive method for assessing pancreatic exocrine function.
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Joo
J
Hyun O
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Martin A
MA
Lodge
Pancreas Center, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland; and.
Sanjay
S
Jagannath
Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York.
Jonathan M
JM
Buscaglia
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Yetunde
Y
Olagbemiro
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland rwahl@jhmi.edu.
Richard L
RL
Wahl
D000085:Acetates; D000328:Adult; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*
D000085:Acetates; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D012633:Secretin
11C-acetate PET; pancreas; secretin