PET-CT with Gallium 68-DOTA-peptides

What is it?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a diagnostic imaging procedure based on the intravenous administration of a small amount of radioactive tracer (radiopharmaceutical) characterized by the emission of particles called positrons. The radiopharmaceutical consists of a radioactive component and a molecule that tracks the metabolic process of interest. PET with 68Ga-DOTA-peptides is used to study neuroendocrine neoplasms and is based on the use of a radiotracer (68Ga) labelledwith a somatostatin analogue (i.e. DOTATOC) that binds to somatostatin receptors 2-5, which are expressed more by neuroendocrine tumor cells than by healthy cells.  68Ga emits the radioactive signal that is captured by the tomograph (PET/TC or PET/RM) and allows the presence and location of the neuroendocrine tumor to be assessed.

When is this exam indicated?

68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET is used for: identification and staging of neuroendocrine neoplasia, evaluation of prognosis, monitoring of a detected disease, evaluation before starting somatostatin analogue therapy.        

  • neuroendocrine tumor

How is it performed?

The total time of patient's staying in the department for the examination is about 1.5 and 2.5 hours. The 68Ga-DOTA-peptide radiopharmaceutical is injected intravenously and in 45-90 minutes the patient is placed on the PET/TC or PET/RM tomograph couch in a supine position, remaining motionless during the acquisition and breathing quietly. The examination lasts approximately 20 minutes.  The PET investigation can be integrated with CT with contrast medium or MRI with contrast medium for diagnostic purposes, which requires the presence of the radiologist.

This is a non-invasive procedure, which exposes to a dose of ionizing radiation halved compared to the scintigraphic investigation with Octreoscan labelledwith In-111, the radiopharmaceutical used so far in this kind of pathologies, however comparable to that of the most common radiological investigations used for the same clinical indications (CT and angiography). After the examination, it is advisable to keep away from pregnant women and young children for the whole day of the examination. The preparation foresees the suspension of the somatostatin therapy (24 hours for short half-life molecules, 3-4 weeks for long half-life molecules); however, it is necessary to obtain the opinion of the physician in charge to determine this suspension.  

Contraindications

This examination cannot be performed in case of:

  • Pregnancy/Lactation.

Where do we treat it?

At GSD you can find Exams specialists at these departments:

Are you interested in receiving the treatment?

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