Role of DOTATATE‐PET/CT in preoperative assessment of phaeochromocytoma and paragangliomas

Summary Context Diagnosis of paragangliomas (PGL) and phaeochromocytomas (PC) can be challenging particularly if the tumour is small. Detection of metastatic disease is important for comprehensive management of malignant PC/PGL. Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) agents have high sensitivity for these tumours, particularly the DOTA family of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with 68Gallium. Objective To describe the utility of SRI in primary assessment (ie before surgery) for PC/PGL and whether measures of maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) could be used to distinguish between adrenal adenomas and PCs. Design Retrospective analysis of patients with PC and PGL between 2012 and 2017. Patients Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) was performed for suspected PC (n = 46) or PGL (n = 27) of which 36 were during primary assessment and 37 during secondary assessment (follow‐up after surgery). For comparison of adrenal SUVmax, scans from 30 patients without suspected PC/PGL (20 with normal adrenals; 10 with incidental adenomas) were evaluated. Measurements Baseline description, sensitivity, specificity, Youden's index. Results Sensitivity of DOTATATE‐PET was 88% for PC and 100% for PGL. False‐negative scans were seen in 2/10 PCs 28 mm which had features of cystic degeneration. SUVmax of PCs and PGLs was more than double compared to adrenal adenomas (P > .001). Conclusion Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) has high sensitivity in primary assessment for PC and PGL. We recommend that SRI should be performed as part of primary assessment in all suspected PGLs (due to higher risk of multifocal lesions) and in PCs suspected to be associated with hereditary syndromes or metastases.