The Additional Value of Somatostatin Receptor Positron Emission Computed Tomography ([⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT) Compared with Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Head and Neck Region in Paraganglioma Patients: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

RESULTS

A total of 25 consecutive patients were included, and 7 patients (28.0%, p = 0.5) showed differences between the imaging modalities, of whom 5 patients had unexpected localizations with additional uptake by somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on the [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors recommend performing baseline imaging with [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT (if available) in variant carriers and using MRI/CT for follow-up according to the regional protocol, thereby shifting the gold standard for baseline imaging from MRI/CT to [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT.

METHODS

In this single-center pilot study, retrospective data were obtained from consecutive patients between 2016 and 2023. Both MRI and [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT were performed within 12 months. The primary outcome was the location of HNPGLs.

UNLABELLED

The Dutch guideline for patients suspected of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT) of the head and neck area. Additionally, it suggests considering additional nuclear imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT compared to MRI in patients with suspected HNPGLs and carriers of genetic variations.