Farid Gossili1, Lars J Petersen, Helle D Zacho. 1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18-22, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark. f.gossili@rn.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Gallium-68-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) has become a well-established imaging method for the evaluation of patients with prostate cancer. However, several cases have revealed PSMA uptake in a large variety of conditions other than prostate cancer. Prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake in thyroid cancer has also been reported. The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of thyroid incidental findings in patients undergoing 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients referred for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark between May 2015 and May 2019. Patients with increased PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland were included in the analysis. Follow-up included imaging, biochemical, and/or histopathological collected over six months. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were included. Increased 68Ga-PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland was observed in 13 patients (4%). Focal uptake was observed in seven patients, diffuse uptake in five patients and mixed focal and diffuse uptake in one patient. Malignancy was verified in two patients (2/13 patients, 15%), both patients with focal PSMA uptake. CONCLUSION: Gallium-68-PSMA thyroid incidental findings are rare in prostate cancer patients. However, cases of focal PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland should be further investigated, as these findings may represent metastatic or primary malignancy of the thyroid gland.
OBJECTIVE:Gallium-68-prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) has become a well-established imaging method for the evaluation of patients with prostate cancer. However, several cases have revealed PSMA uptake in a large variety of conditions other than prostate cancer. Prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake in thyroid cancer has also been reported. The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of thyroid incidental findings in patients undergoing 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all patients referred for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark between May 2015 and May 2019. Patients with increased PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland were included in the analysis. Follow-up included imaging, biochemical, and/or histopathological collected over six months. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients were included. Increased 68Ga-PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland was observed in 13 patients (4%). Focal uptake was observed in seven patients, diffuse uptake in five patients and mixed focal and diffuse uptake in one patient. Malignancy was verified in two patients (2/13 patients, 15%), both patients with focal PSMA uptake. CONCLUSION:Gallium-68-PSMA thyroid incidental findings are rare in prostate cancerpatients. However, cases of focal PSMA uptake in the thyroid gland should be further investigated, as these findings may represent metastatic or primary malignancy of the thyroid gland.
Authors: Marceline W Piek; Lisa H de Vries; Maarten L Donswijk; Bart de Keizer; Jan Paul de Boer; Lutske Lodewijk; Rachel S van Leeuwaarde; Menno R Vriens; Koen J Hartemink; Iris M C van der Ploeg Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2022-01-15 Impact factor: 10.057