Abstract
Increased Ga-68 DOTATOC uptake for normal and goitrous and/or nodular thyroids has
previously been reported for a small number of patients. The aim of this study was
to reevaluate these preliminary findings with larger patient numbers and to determine
possible variables, which might influence the quantification of Ga-68 DOTATOC uptake
in normal and pathologic thyroid tissues. Ga-68 DOTATOC PET scans of 165 patients
classified for various thyroid pathologies were analyzed by the so-called region of
interest technique for Ga-68 DOTATOC uptake and the patient's history, thyroid ultrasound,
TSH, and anti-TPO antibodies. Thyroid glands without any pathology showed a clearly
detectable uptake of Ga-68 DOTATOC with a large variability and significantly higher
target to background ratios for men as compared to women. In 8 cases of normal thyroids
with an increased uptake, follow-up examinations after 6–14 months did not show any
thyroid pathology. An increased DOTATOC uptake (target to background ratio >3.4) was
found in hot nodules, disseminated thyroid autonomy, and in most cases (5 of 8) of
active Hashimoto's disease. In Ga-68 DOTATOC PET, normal thyroid glands show a clearly
detectable radiotracer uptake with a large variability and significantly higher target
to background ratios in male patients. All patients with thyroid autonomy and most
patients with active Hashimoto's disease have an increased thyroid DOTATOC uptake.
Key words
Ga-68 DOTATOC - PET - thyroid gland - SSTR - relative quantification - normal thyroid
- thyroid nodules
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Correspondence
R. Paschke
Medical Department III,
University of Leipzig
Liebigstraße 20
04103 Leipzig
Germany
Phone: +49/341/97 13201
Fax: +49/341/97 13209
Email: ralf.paschke@medizin.uni-leipzig.de