Small Bowel Carcinoid: The "Dancing Bowel Sign" on 18F-FDOPA PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2016 Dec;41(12):944-945. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001402.

Abstract

The localization of small bowel (SB) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remains a diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. In about a third of cases, SB-NETs are multiple at diagnosis. However, the sensitivity of conventional presurgical diagnostic investigations is not exhaustive. F-FDOPA (6-L-F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine) PET seems to be a valuable diagnostic technique for the detection of midgut NETs. According to our experience, a delayed PET/CT acquisition centered on abdominopelvic region and performed after oral hydration may improve the detection of primary tumor and the identification of patients with multifocal SB-NETs who could benefit from a more accurate intraoperative palpation of the entire SB.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Female
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • fluorodopa F 18
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine

Supplementary concepts

  • Carcinoid Tumors, Intestinal