title: Normal distribution pattern and physiological variants of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ga-PSMA-11 is a novel PET tracer suggested to be used for imaging of advanced prostate cancer. In this study, we aimed to present a detailed biodistribution of Ga-PSMA-11, including physiological and benign variants of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a retrospective analysis of 40 patients who underwent PSMA PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging and who had no evidence of residual or metastatic disease on the scans. In addition, 16 patients who underwent PSMA PET/CT imaging with any indication other than prostate cancer were included in the study to evaluate physiological uptake in the normal prostate gland. The median, minimum-maximum, and mean standardized uptake value (SUV) values were calculated for visceral organs, bone marrow and lymph nodes, and mucosal areas. Any physiological variants or benign lesions with Ga-PSMA-11 were also noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ga-PSMA-11 uptake was noted in the kidneys, parotid and submandibular glands, duodenum, small intestines, spleen, liver, and lacrimal glands, and mucosal uptake in the nasopharynx, vocal cords, pancreas, stomach, mediastinal blood pool, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, rectum, vertebral bone marrow, and testes. Celiac ganglia showed slight Ga-PSMA-11 uptake in 24 of 40 patients without the presence of any other pathologic lymph nodes in abdominal and pelvic areas. Variable uptake of Ga-PSMA-11 was observed in calcified choroid plexus, a thyroid nodule, an adrenal nodule, axillary lymph nodes and celiac ganglia, occasional osteophytes, and gallbladder. The patient group with PSMA PET/CT for indications other than prostate cancer (n=16) showed a slight radiotracer uptake in normal prostate gland (SUVmax: 5.5±1.6, range: 3.5-8.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows normal distribution pattern, range of SUVs, and physiological variants of Ga-PSMA-11. In addition, several potential pitfalls were documented to prevent misinterpretations of the scan.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital bDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty cDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacy Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: Onur Erdem
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Meltem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ocak
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akovali
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nematyazar
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kabasakal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005709:Gallium Isotopes; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009842:Oligopeptides; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D005709:Gallium Isotopes; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D009842:Oligopeptides; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C000718244:gallium 68 PSMA-11; D004492:Edetic Acid; C473848:FOLH1 protein, human; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II