A case of positive 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT pancreatic heterotopia mimicking an intestinal neuroendocrine tumor

Clin Imaging. 2018 May-Jun:49:156-158. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2018.03.001. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Abstract

Gallium-68 DOTA-peptide positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-PET/CT) has emerged as a promising tool for the diagnosis and staging of gastro-entero-pancreatic neoplasms, thanks to its high sensitivity and specificity. Heterotopic pancreas, which is relatively rare, has never been reported as a possible cause of false positives of 68Ga-PET/CT. We report on the first case of a heterotopic pancreas showing pathological uptake at 68Ga-PET/CT, thus mimicking an intestinal neuroendocrine tumor. The present case suggests that heterotopic pancreas should be included among the possible causes of false positives at 68Ga PET.

Keywords: Neuroendocrine tumor; Nuclear medicine; Positron-emission tomography.

MeSH terms

  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intestines
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Octreotide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Organometallic Compounds*
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreas / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Ga(III)-DOTATOC
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Octreotide