Adult Neuroblastoma of the Neck Is Better Imaged With 18 F-FDG PET/CT Than With 18 F-DOPA PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2024 Aug 1;49(8):e401-e402. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000005288. Epub 2024 May 22.

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman presented with 2 months history of right submandibular swelling. Biopsy revealed neuroblastoma (NB). Patient was referred for staging PET/CT scan. We compared the findings of 18 F-DOPA PET/CT and 18 F-FDG PET/CT scans. Both imaging modalities were positive in the patient; however, tumor delineation was superior with 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Tumor uptake of FDG was significantly higher than tumor uptake of DOPA. Follow-up FDG PET/CT scan postsurgery showed local recurrent NB and their metastases avidly concentrate FDG. We present a very rare case of adult NB of the neck better imaged with FDG instead of DOPA PET/CT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neuroblastoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuroblastoma* / pathology
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • fluorodopa F 18