Long Axial Field of View PET/CT: Technical Aspects in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) plays a pivotal role in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly in the context of ischemic heart disease. Nevertheless, its application in other forms of CVD, such as infiltrative, infectious, or inflammatory conditions, remains limited. Recently, PET/CT systems with an extended axial field of view (LAFOV) have been developed, offering greater anatomical coverage and significantly enhanced PET sensitivity.

Update on the Role of [F]FDOPA PET/CT.

[F]-dihydroxyphenylalanine ([F]FDOPA) is a radiopharmaceutical used in a broad spectrum of diseases, including neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), congenital hyperinsulinism, parkinsonian syndromes and neuro-oncology. Genetic analysis and disease specific biomarkers may guide the optimum selection of patients that may benefit most from [F]FDOPA PET in different stages of several neuroendocrine neoplasms and in congenital hyperinsulinism. For clinical routine in neuro-oncology, indications for [F]FDOPA PET include tumor delineation and distinguishing between treatment related changes and recurrent disease.

PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND SERUM CALCIUM IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS EVALUATED FOR LOW BONE MASS - A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE.

The bone health guidelines for breast cancer (BC) patients recommend bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Patients with low BMD and elevated serum calcium levels (SCLs) are further evaluated for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We aimed to determine the prevalence of PHPT in treated BC patients with low BMD and analyze the association of SCLs with histopathologic tumor features and cancer treatment.

Purulent lupus panniculitis unmasked by FDG-PET/CT scan: A case report.

Rationale: Lupus panniculitis (LP) is a unique variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Clinical manifestations are typically mild and include erythema, nodules, and small ulcers. In certain cases, diagnosing LP may be challenging.

Potential value of EUS in pancreatic surveillance of VHL patients.

Background: Patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease are prone to develop pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). However, the best imaging technique for early detection of pNETs in VHL is currently unknown. In a head-to-head comparison, we evaluated endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and (11)C-5-hydroxytryptophan positron emission tomography ((11)C-5-HTP PET) compared with conventional screening techniques for early detection of pancreatic solid lesions in VHL patients.

EUS is superior for detection of pancreatic lesions compared with standard imaging in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Background: In multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are the leading MEN1-related cause of death.

Objective: To evaluate EUS and (11)C-5-hydroxytryptophan positron emission tomography ((11)C-5-HTP PET), compared with the recommended screening techniques in MEN1 patients for early detection of pNETs.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Other PET tracers for neuroendocrine tumors.

In this article the applicability of (124)I-MIBG and (11)C-5-HTP PET for the detection of abdominal gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is discussed. (124)I-MIBG is a positron-emitting variant of (123)I-MIBG and therefore suited for PET imaging. Due to the better intrinsic characteristics of PET, (124)I-MIBG PET has a higher spatial resolution than (123)I-MIBG and may therefore lead to better lesion detection in patients with neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma.

Clinical relevance of 18F-FDG PET and 18F-DOPA PET in recurrent medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Unlabelled: The transition from stable to progressive disease is unpredictable in patients with biochemical evidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) doubling times are currently the most reliable markers for progression, but for accurate determination, serial measurements, which need time, are required. We compared (18)F-FDG PET and (18)F-dihydroxyphenylanaline ((18)F-DOPA) PET with biochemical parameters and survival to assess whether these imaging modalities could be of value in detecting progressive disease.

Total 18F-dopa PET tumour uptake reflects metabolic endocrine tumour activity in patients with a carcinoid tumour.

Purpose: Positron emission tomography (PET) using 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-dopa) has an excellent sensitivity to detect carcinoid tumour lesions. 18F-dopa tumour uptake and the levels of biochemical tumour markers are mediated by tumour endocrine metabolic activity. We evaluated whether total 18F-dopa tumour uptake on PET, defined as whole-body metabolic tumour burden (WBMTB), reflects tumour load per patient, as measured with tumour markers.

Combining 6-fluoro-[18F]l-dihydroxyphenylalanine and [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography for distinction of non-carcinoid malignancies in carcinoid patients.

Aim: Carcinoid patients frequently develop a second primary malignancy (SPM), which can deserve full treatment. Distinguishing a SPM from carcinoid lesions is therefore important. Differentiation can be achieved using the difference in uptake between different positron emission tomography (PET) tracers.

Molecular imaging in neuroendocrine tumors: molecular uptake mechanisms and clinical results.

Neuroendocrine tumors can originate almost everywhere in the body and consist of a great variety of subtypes. This paper focuses on molecular imaging methods using nuclear medicine techniques in neuroendocrine tumors, coupling molecular uptake mechanisms of radiotracers with clinical results. A non-systematic review is presented on receptor based and metabolic imaging methods.

Manipulation of [11C]-5-hydroxytryptophan and 6-[18F]fluoro-3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine accumulation in neuroendocrine tumor cells.

[(11)C]-5-Hydroxytryptophan ([(11)C]HTP) and 6-[(18)F]fluoro-3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine ([(18)F]FDOPA) are used to image neuroendocrine tumors with positron emission tomography. The precise mechanism by which these tracers accumulate in tumor cells is unknown. We aimed to study tracer uptake via large amino acid transporters, peripheral decarboxylation (inhibited by carbidopa), and intracellular breakdown by monoamine oxidase (MAO).

111In-octreotide is superior to 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine for scintigraphic detection of head and neck paragangliomas.

Unlabelled: In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic yield of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy, and morphologic imaging (CT or MRI) in patients with head and neck paragangliomas.

Methods: In a university hospital setting, patients considered to have head and neck paraganglioma were referred to the outpatient endocrinology department and underwent CT or MRI, SRS, and MIBG imaging. For validation, we used a composite reference standard consisting of clinical and histologic data and CT or MRI, with which SRS and MIBG imaging were compared.

Better assessment of nodal metastases by PET/CT fusion compared to side-by-side PET/CT in oesophageal cancer.

Background: Recently, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been introduced in the staging of oesophageal cancer. The impact of PET/CT fusion in comparison with side-by-side PET/CT in these tumours, was analyzed.

Patients And Methods: In 61 patients, 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET and multidetector (md)-CT were performed within a two week interval.

18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET in patients with biochemical evidence of medullary thyroid cancer: relation to tumor differentiation.

Unlabelled: Curative treatment for recurrent medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), diagnosed by rising serum calcitonin, is surgery, but tumor localization is difficult. Therefore, the value of 18F-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET (18F-DOPA PET), 18F-FDG PET, (99m)Tc-V-di-mercaptosulfuricacid (DMSA-V) scintigraphy, and MRI or CT was studied.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with biochemical recurrent or residual MTC underwent 18F-DOPA PET, 18F-FDG PET, DMSA-V scintigraphy, and MRI or CT.

Improved staging of patients with carcinoid and islet cell tumors with 18F-dihydroxy-phenyl-alanine and 11C-5-hydroxy-tryptophan positron emission tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare diagnostic sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in carcinoid and islet cell tumor patients with a serotonin and a catecholamine precursor as tracers.

Patients And Methods: Carcinoid (n = 24) or pancreatic islet cell tumor (n = 23) patients with at least one lesion on conventional imaging including somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and computed tomography (CT) scan underwent (11)C-5-hydroxytryptophan ((11)C-5-HTP) PET and 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-dihydroxy-phenylalanine ((18)F-DOPA) PET. PET findings were compared with a composite reference standard derived from all available imaging along with clinical and cytologic/histologic information.

6-L-18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine PET in neuroendocrine tumors: basic aspects and emerging clinical applications.

In recent years, 6-l-18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA) PET has emerged as a new diagnostic tool for the imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. This application is based on the unique property of neuroendocrine tumors to produce and secrete various substances, a process that requires the uptake of metabolic precursors, which leads to the uptake of 18F-DOPA. This nonsystematic review first describes basic aspects of 18F-DOPA imaging, including radiosynthesis, factors involved in tracer uptake, and various aspects of metabolism and imaging.

Staging of carcinoid tumours with 18F-DOPA PET: a prospective, diagnostic accuracy study.

Background: To assess individual treatment options for patients with carcinoid tumours, accurate knowledge of tumour localisation is essential. We aimed to test the diagnostic sensitivity of 6-[fluoride-18]fluoro-levodopa ((18)F-DOPA PET), compared with conventional imaging methods, in patients with carcinoid tumours.

Methods: In a prospective, single-centre, diagnostic accuracy study, (18)F-DOPA PET with carbidopa pretreatment was compared with somatostatin-receptor scintigraphy (SRS), CT, and combined SRS and CT in 53 patients with a metastatic carcinoid tumour.

Carcinoid crisis after injection of 6-18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine in a patient with metastatic carcinoid.

A carcinoid crisis is a severe complication of the carcinoid syndrome that can arise in patients with advanced metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. It can be initiated by stress, catecholamines, and tumor manipulation. In this article, we report a case in which an injection with the catecholamine tracer 6-18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine, used for PET, induced a carcinoid crisis.