title: The Accessory Spleen Is an Important Pitfall of 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in the Workup for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the value and potential pitfalls of Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with suspected pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN).
  
  
  
  Consecutive patients referred for Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for suspected pNEN between May 1, 2011, and October 31, 2014, were retrospectively assessed. Scan data were compared with cytological/histological final diagnosis. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm detection rate was determined on per-patient and per-lesion basis. Maximum standardized uptake values of lesions were determined.
  
  
  
  Fifty-eight patients with 65 lesions were enrolled. Twelve patients had nonconfirmed diagnosis; of these, 7 were positive and 5 negative at PET/CT. Of 46 patients with confirmed diagnosis, 36 had pNEN; of these, 33 were positive, 1 negative, and 2 nonevaluable at PET/CT. Ten patients had non-NE lesions, of which 8 were positive, 1 negative, and 1 nonevaluable at PET/CT. Of 48 patients with positive PET/CT, 8 proved to have non-NE lesions, of which 6 were intrapancreatic accessory spleen. No significant maximum standardized uptake values difference was found between pNEN and non-NE lesions.
  
  
  
  Intrapancreatic accessory spleen is an important pitfall in Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for suspected pNEN. Cytological/histological confirmation is mandatory before any surgical procedure is undertaken.
authors.affiliation: From the *Institute of Nuclear Medicine, †Roma ENETS Center of Excellence for the Diagnosis and Cure of Neuroendocrine Tumors, ‡Institute of Pathology, and §Division of Medical Physics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore-Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rufini
authors.forename: Frediano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inzani
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stefanelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castaldi
authors.forename: Germano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perotti
authors.forename: Annarita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cinquino
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Indovina
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rindi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C504894:68Ga-DOTANOC; D009942:Organometallic Compounds