The added value of [18F]fluoro-L-DOPA PET in the diagnosis of hyperinsulinism of infancy: a retrospective study involving 49 children

摘要

Neuroendocrine diseases are a heterogeneous group of entities with the ability to take up amine precursors, such as L-DOPA, and convert them into biogenic amines, such as dopamine. Congenital hyperinsulinism of infancy (HI) is a neuroendocrine disease secondary to either focal adenomatous hyperplasia or a diffuse abnormal pancreatic insulin secretion. While focal hyperinsulinism may be reversed by selective surgical resection, diffuse forms require near-total pancreatectomy when resistant to medical treatment. Here, we report the diagnostic value of PET with [18F]fluoro-L-DOPA in distinguishing focal from diffuse HI.