gallium-ga-68-dotatate and Nasopharyngeal-Carcinoma

In this case of suspected sphenoid wing meningioma, Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT showed a somatostatin receptor (SSR)-expressing tumor with extension to the nasopharynx and SSR-expressing cervical lymph nodes. Subsequent biopsy from the nasopharynx revealed an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated, undifferentiated World Health Organization type 3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a potential clinical pitfall due to the reported high SSR expression of this tumor subtype. In consideration of the high target-to-background contrast, SSR ligands might be superior to F-FDG for EBV-associated NPC PET imaging, particularly at the skull base. Somatostatin receptor ligands might furthermore offer interesting theranostic possibilities for patients with advanced/extensive EBV-associated NPC.

Topics: Adult; Carcinoma; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography