title: Role of (18)F-DOPA PET/CT and (131)I-MIBG planar scintigraphy in evaluating patients with pheochromocytoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate role of (18)F-DOPA PET/CT and (131)I-MIBG planar scintigraphy in patients with pheochromocytoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients with diagnosis of pheochromocytoma based on radiological and biochemical markers were retrospectively selected for the study. These patients had undergone both (131)I-MIBG scintigraphy and (18)F-DOPA PET/CT. The imaging findings were compared to patient histopathology reports, biochemical markers and clinical follow up whenever available to establish the diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (131)I-MIBG showed a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 100%. (18)F-DOPA PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 100%. (18)F-DOPA was better at localizing and finding more no of lesions as compared to (131)I-MIBG scintigraphy. (18)F-DOPA also is a better study in evaluation of paragangliomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (18)F-DOPA PET/CT seems to be a better modality in comparison to (131)I-MIBG scintigraphy in the evaluation of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. At this point both these tracers seem to have mutually additive role in these patients and essential investigations with diagnosis and follow-up of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. guru47@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Bandopadhyaya
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jyotsana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kumari