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Horm Metab Res 2012; 44(05): 367-372
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1299712
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Current and Future Anatomical and Functional Imaging Approaches to Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

H.J.L. M. Timmers
1   Department of Endocrinology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
D. Taieb
2   Department of Nuclear Medicine, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
,
K. Pacak
3   Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 14 October 2011

accepted 07 December 2011

Publication Date:
07 March 2012 (online)

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Abstract

After establishing a biochemical diagnosis, pheochromocytomas and extra-adrenal paragangliomas (PPGLs) can be localized using different anatomical and functional imaging modalities. These include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine or 111In-DTPA-pentetreotide, and positron emission tomography (PET) using 6-[18F]-fluorodopamine (18F-FDA), 6-[18F]-fluoro-l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (18F-DOPA), and 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose. We review the currently available data on the performance of anatomical imaging, SPECT, and PET for the detection of (metastatic) PPGL as well as parasympathetic head and neck paragangliomas. We show that there appears to be no ‘gold-standard’ imaging technique for all patients with (suspected) PPGL. A tailor-made approach is warranted, guided by clinical, biochemical, and genetic characteristics. In the current era of a growing number of PET tracers, PPGL imaging has moved beyond tumor localization towards functional characterization of tumors.

Key words

FDG PET - MIBG scintigraphy - FDOPA PET - FDA PET
 

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