Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy - 99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC - first clinical experience in the Czech Republic
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this article is to introduce the somatostatin analog EDDA/HYNIC-TOC labeled with 99mTechnetium available in Czech Republic since 2011. This radiopharmaceutical has been used for scintigraphic localisation of tumors bearing somatostatin receptors.
Material and methods: We evaluated 18 patients in our department from September 2011. There were 3 pts with medullary thyroid cancer, 12 pts with neuroendocrine tumor (NET) or carcinoid, 2 pts with suspected carcinoid and 1 pt due to endocrine orbitopathy.
Imaging consists of whole-body scan and SPECT/CT performed 4 hours post injection of 700 MBq of Tektrotyd. We add an abdominal SPECT 1 to 2 hours post injection.
Results: Positive findings were detected in 6 pts. It was in agreement to other diagnostic methods.
We detected accumulation in the suprarenal glands in 10 pts. This was not interpreted as a pathology, we believe this detection is thanks to a better resolution and an improved image quality. 12 pts were negative.
Conclusion: 99mTc EDDA/HYNIC-TOC (Tektrotyd) could be a good alternative to 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide (Octreoscan) in evaluating patients with tumors bearing somatostatin receptors. Better availability, lower radiation and improved image quality are the advantage.
Early tomographic imaging of abdomen should be done to avoid false positive findings due to nonspecific tracer accumulation.