Clinical Value of F-18-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine Positron Emission Tomography/Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (F-18-DOPA PET/CT) in Patients with Suspected Paraganglioma

摘要

Aim: To evaluate F-18-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine-positron emission tomography/contrast-enhanced computed tomography (F-18-DOPA PET/CT) for the detection of paragangliomas (PARA) without any patient selection, such as genetic predisposition for the development of these tumors, history of metastatic PARA or hormonal status. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, 28 consecutive patients (15 women, 13 men; mean age=46.4 years; age range=19-73 years), who were referred to our PET/CT center for the detection of clinically suspected PARA, were included. Final diagnosis was confirmed by histological reports of surgically proven lesions and/or clinical follow-up (including laboratory results and/or PET/CT follow-up). Results: On a per-lesion basis (45 lesions) analysis, there was a sensitivity of 64.3% for CT, 73.8% for PET, 100% for PET/CT and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 93.1% for CT, 96.9% for PET and 100% for PET/CT. On a per-patient basis analysis, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for CT was 86.7%, 84.6% and 85.7%, respectively, and, for PET 80%, 100% and 89.3%, respectively, and, for PET/CT 100%. Conclusion: Based on our data, F-18-DOPA PET/CT is a "one-stop diagnostic modality" for the assessment of patients with suspected PARA.