Imaging of Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas

Endocr Rev. 2024 Jan 11:bnae001. doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnae001. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPheochromocytomas/paragangliomas are unique in their highly variable molecular landscape driven by genetic alterations, either germline or somatic. These mutations translate into different clusters with distinct tumor locations, biochemical/metabolomic features, tumor cell characteristics (e.g. receptors, transporters) and disease course. Such tumor heterogeneity calls for different imaging strategies in order to provide proper diagnosis and follow-up. This also warrants selection of the most appropriate and locally available imaging modalities tailored to an individual patient based on consideration of many relevant factors including age, (anticipated) tumor location(s), size and multifocality, underlying genotype, biochemical phenotype, chance of metastases as well as the patient's personal preference and treatment goals. Anatomical imaging using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and functional imaging using positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography are currently a cornerstone in the evaluation of patients with pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas. In modern nuclear medicine practice, a multitude of radionuclides with relevance to diagnostic work-up and treatment planning (theranostics) is available, including radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine, fluorodeoxyglucose, fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine and somatostatin analogues. This review am...
Source: Endocrine Reviews - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research