Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare tumors of the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal sympathetic chromaffin tissues; their anatomical and functional imaging are critical to guiding treatment decisions. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) for tumor localization and staging of PPGLs with that of conventional imaging by [(123)I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine single photon emission CT ((123)I-MIBG SPECT), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS
A total of 216 patients (106 men, 110 women, aged 45.2 ± 14.9 years) with suspected PPGL underwent CT or MRI, (18)F-FDG PET/CT, and (123)I-MIBG SPECT/CT. Sensitivity and specificity were measured as endpoints and compared by the McNemar test, using two-sided P values only.
RESULTS
Sixty (28%) of patients had nonmetastatic PPGL, 95 (44%) had metastatic PPGL, and 61 (28%) were PPGL negative. For nonmetastatic tumors, the sensitivity of (18)F-FDG was similar to that of (123)I-MIBG but less than that of CT/MRI (sensitivity of (18)F-FDG = 76.8%; of (123)I-MIBG = 75.0%; of CT/MRI = 95.7%; (18)F-FDG vs (123)I-MIBG: difference = 1.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -14.8% to 14.8%, P = .210; (18)F-FDG vs CT/MRI: difference = 18.9%, 95% CI = 9.4% to 28.3%, P < .001). The specificity was 90.2% for (18)F-FDG, 91.8% for (123)I-MIBG, and 90.2% for CT/MRI. (18)F-FDG uptake was higher in succinate dehydrogenase complex- and von Hippel-Lindau syndrome-related tumors than in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) related tumors. For metastases, sensitivity was greater for (18)F-FDG and CT/MRI than for (123)I-MIBG (sensitivity of (18)F-FDG = 82.5%; of (123)I-MIBG = 50.0%; of CT/MRI = 74.4%; (18)F-FDG vs (123)I-MIBG: difference = 32.5%, 95% CI = 22.3% to 42.5%, P < .001; CT/MRI vs (123)I-MIBG: difference = 24.4%, 95% CI = 11.3% to 31.6%, P < .001). For bone metastases, (18)F-FDG was more sensitive than CT/MRI (sensitivity of (18)F-FDG = 93.7%; of CT/MRI = 76.7%; difference = 17.0%, 95% CI = 4.9% to 28.5%, P = .013).
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with (123)I-MIBG SPECT and CT/MRI, both considered gold standards for PPGL imaging, metastases were better detected by (18)F-FDG PET. (18)F-FDG PET provides a high specificity in patients with a biochemically established diagnosis of PPGL.

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Authors

Timmers HJ, Chen CC, Carrasquillo JA, Whatley M, Ling A, Eisenhofer G, King KS, Rao JU, Wesley RA, Adams KT, Pacak K

Institution

Department of Endocrinology and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Source

Journal of the National Cancer Institute 104:9 2012 May 2 pg 700-8

MeSH

3-Iodobenzylguanidine
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms
Adult
Contrast Media
Female
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Staging
Paraganglioma
Pheochromocytoma
Positron-Emission Tomography
Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography
ROC Curve
Radiopharmaceuticals
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22517990