The impact of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT imaging on management of patients with paragangliomas

OBJECTIVE: Paragangliomas are rare tumours of neural crest origin that express high levels of somatostatin receptor. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT is a widely accepted method for imaging of neuroendocrine tumours. This study was performed to review a Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT patient database and to establish the impact of the modality on patient treatment. METHODS: Demographic data, imaging data and change in management after Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT were evaluated. RESULTS: Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT scans were performed in 21 patients in whom paragangliomas had been confirmed after biopsy or surgery and in one patient with suspected paraganglioma. In most patients, the primary site was the organ of Zuckerkandl (12/22). Of the 22 Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT scans completed, 19 (86.4%) were positive and three (13.6%) negative. In 12 of 14 recurrent cases (90.9%), the treatment plan was changed after the Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT scan owing to new, unexpected findings, while it remained unchanged in two (9.1%). Regarding the change in treatment plan, in most instances the new treatment comprised peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). CONCLUSION: Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT findings led to a change in the scheduled treatment plan in 90.9% of patients with suspected recurrence. The most frequent change consisted in initiation of PRRT due to disease recurrence or progression or detection of multiple metastases.