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(Radiology. 1999;212:35-41.)
© RSNA, 1999


Nuclear Medicine

Pheochromocytomas: Imaging with 2-[Fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET1

Barry L. Shulkin, MD, Norman W. Thompson, MD, Brahm Shapiro, MD, Isaac R. Francis, MD and James C. Sisson, MD

1 From the Departments of Internal Medicine, Division of Nuclear Medicine (B.L.S., B.S., J.C.S.), Surgery (N.W.T.), and Radiology (I.R.F.), University of Michigan Medical Center, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. Received July 9, 1998; revision requested August 18; revision received September 16; accepted December 16. Supported in part by grant CA54216 from the National Cancer Institute and grant MO1 RR 00042 from the University of Michigan Clinical Research Center. Address reprint requests to B.L.S. (e-mail: bshulkin@umich.edu).


    Abstract
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
PURPOSE: To assess the sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in pheochromocytomas and, secondarily, to compare images obtained with FDG PET to those obtained with metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with one or more known or subsequently proved pheochromocytomas underwent FDG PET (35 scans) and MIBG scintigraphy (35 scans). Tumor uptake of FDG was quantified on positive PET scans.

RESULTS: Tumor uptake of FDG was detected in 22 of 29 patients. Most benign (seven of 12 patients) and most malignant (15 of 17 patients) pheochromocytomas and their metastases avidly concentrated FDG. In four patients whose pheochromocytomas failed to accumulate MIBG, uptake of FDG in the tumors was intense. For the majority of the 16 patients whose tumors concentrated both agents, however, ratings for MIBG images compared to FDG PET images for delineation of the tumor in comparison to background and normal organ accumulation were superior for nine patients (56%) and as good or better for 14 (88%).

CONCLUSION: Most pheochromocytomas accumulate FDG. Uptake is found in a greater percentage of malignant than benign pheochromocytomas. FDG PET is especially useful in defining the distribution of those pheochromocytomas that fail to concentrate MIBG.

Index terms: Adrenal gland, emission CT (ECT), 86.12161, 86.12162, 86.12163 • Fluorine, radioactive metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) • Pheochromocytoma, 67.3163, 86.328


    Introduction
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
Pheochromocytomas are tumors derived from the sympathetic nervous system and related structures (14). Pheochromocytomas cause hypertension, along with a variety of signs and symptoms of catecholamine excess, and subsequent morbidity from the direct effects of the tumor secretory products dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. If the pheochromocytomas are identified, the attendant disorders are usually curable by means of surgical resection of the tumor. If undiagnosed or improperly treated, pheochromocytoma can be fatal. Thus, its detection is critical to patient treatment. The presence of pheochromocytoma is established biochemically by measuring plasma and urine catecholamines and their metabolites (14).

A variety of imaging techniques have been used to locate pheochromocytoma, each of which exhibits important drawbacks. Since approximately 90% of pheochromocytomas occur within the adrenal glands, computed tomography (CT) of the adrenal glands has been found efficacious (5,6). However, CT depicts only anatomic abnormalities. Occasional false-positive studies can lead to unnecessary surgery (7). Although CT in the past has been less accurate than other approaches for the detection of extraadrenal lesions, to our knowledge, there are no recent studies comparing the accuracy of CT with that of other imaging techniques. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, like CT, provides excellent anatomic detail and has the advantages of lack of ionizing radiation, the potential for better tissue characterization, and the capacity for imaging in multiple planes without the need for intravenous iodinated contrast material (8,9). The effect of new, shorter imaging sequences has yet to be determined.

The procedure of choice for the localization of pheochromocytoma is currently scintigraphy with metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) (913). Not all pheochromocytomas concentrate MIBG, however, and MIBG uptake can be adversely affected by a variety of medications. Thus, there is a need for another procedure that has either a higher sensitivity or will at least supplement currently available techniques (14). Our preliminary experience suggests that positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has promise, and we previously reported the depiction with FDG PET of two pheochromocytomas that did not accumulate MIBG (15). The purpose of this study was to estimate the sensitivity of FDG PET for pheochromocytomas and to compare findings with MIBG scintigraphy to demonstrate the complementary role of FDG PET.


    MATERIALS AND METHODS
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
Patients
This study was approved by our institutional review board. Twenty-nine patients with one or more known or subsequently proved pheochromocytomas (35 FDG PET scans) were the subjects of this study. Patients and their studies are described in Tables 14. Twelve patients had benign pheochromocytoma (patients 1–12 [four men, eight women; age range, 21–81 years; mean age, 52.4 years]). Seventeen patients had malignant pheochromocytoma (patients 13–29 [14 male and three female patients; age range, 16–72 years; mean age, 40.4 years]). Patients 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, and 26 were examined twice. None of the patients were receiving medications known to interfere with the uptake of MIBG (14).


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TABLE 1. Benign Pheochromocytomas
 

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TABLE 2. Findings at FDG PET and MIBG Scintigraphy in Benign Pheochromocytomas
 

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TABLE 3. Malignant Pheochromocytomas
 

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TABLE 4. Findings at FDG PET and MIBG Scintigraphy in Malignant Pheochromocytomas
 
PET Examinations
The procedure was explained, and written informed consent was obtained from the adult patients or from a parent of the pediatric patient 15. After an overnight or 4-hour fast, patients were placed within the PET scanner (models CTI 931-08/12 or Exact; Siemens Medical Systems, Hoffman Estates, Ill) with the principal tumor centered in the field of view. Positioning was accomplished on the basis of physical findings and in conjunction with findings at CT, MR imaging, and MIBG scintigraphy. After acquisition of a 10–20-minute transmission scan for attenuation correction, with use of retractable germanium 68 sources, 370 MBq (10 mCi) FDG was administered intravenously (16). Patient 15 received 305 MBq (8 mCi) FDG.

Images of the tumor were acquired dynamically for 50–60 minutes (patients 1–7, 13, 15, 18, and 29). Data obtained with the dynamic sequence were reconstructed into transverse cross-sectional images by means of filtered back projection and a Hann filter with a cutoff frequency of 0.35 cycles per projection ray. From the transverse images, attenuation-corrected images were constructed in the coronal and sagittal planes. In addition, in most studies, limited "whole-body" views of the chest and abdomen were obtained to screen for metastatic disease. These views consisted of sequential acquisitions covering 40–60 cm in the z axis. The data from the whole-body acquisition were stacked in a three-dimensional volume and forward projected into images every 10° to allow viewing as a rotating cine display of 32 images.

In patients 9–13 and 15–28, images were acquired on an Exact PET scanner beginning 45 minutes after FDG injection. This device contains three rotating 68Ge rods, which allow performance of emission scanning followed by transmission scanning for attenuation correction. This method does not eliminate contamination for the emission events but does reduce its effect, and the resultant scan values do not differ by more than 5% from those corrected on the basis of standard preinjection transmission scans (17).

MIBG Scintigraphy
Iodine 131 MIBG.—In 14 patients (patients 1, 8, 13, 15, 17–21, 24, 26–29), planar scintigraphy with 131I MIBG was performed as previously described (18). In brief, overlapping anterior and posterior images from the top of the head to the knees were acquired for 100,000 counts or 20 minutes, whichever came first, at 24, 48, and 72 hours after administration of 19 MBq (0.5 mCi) or 38 MBq (1 mCi) 131I MIBG (the higher dose was administered to patients with malignant pheochromocytoma who were undergoing evaluation for possible 131I MIBG therapy). Data were acquired with a gamma camera with a large field of view and a high-energy collimator interfaced with a computer.

Iodine 123 MIBG.—In 19 patients (patients 2–7, 9–14, 16, 18, 21–23, 25, 26), 123I MIBG was used and was preferred whenever possible. After the intravenous administration of 370 MBq (10 mCi) 123I MIBG, both planar and tomographic images were obtained (19).

Planar images.—Anterior views from the head to the knees and posterior views of the chest and abdomen were obtained at 18–24 and 48 hours. Each image was acquired for 10 minutes with use of a gamma camera with a large field of view and a low-energy collimator interfaced to a computer.

Tomographic images.—Single photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed at 24 hours with use of a single or multihead rotating gamma camera with one or more low-energy collimators. The camera was rotated through 360° with 64 stops of 20 seconds each. Data were reconstructed by means of filtered back projection and a Butterworth filter with a cutoff frequency of 0.2–0.5 Nyquist.

In most patients, findings at CT (models CT/T 8800 or 9800; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis) of the principal tumor were available for confirmation. An intravenous bolus of approximately 150 mL of ionic (Conray 60; Mallinckrodt Medical, St Louis, Mo) or nonionic (Omnipaque 300; Nycomed-Amersham, Princeton, NJ) contrast material was administered at a rate of 2 mL/sec followed by acquisition of 10-mm-thick contiguous axial sections through the thorax, abdomen, or pelvis depending on the site of the principal tumor. Both {alpha}- and ß-adrenergic blockades were used when necessary to prevent contrast media–induced hypertensive crises.

Image Analysis
Images were reviewed by three nuclear imaging physicians (B.L.S., B.S., J.C.S.) by consensus. The images for each patient were presented in random order, with the FDG PET images of a patient analyzed immediately before the MIBG images of the same patient. Any identifying information on each image was masked. Results of other studies (eg, bone scanning, MR imaging, biochemistry) were not revealed prior to analysis of the FDG PET and MIBG images. Tumor uptake of FDG and MIBG was assessed both qualitatively and semiquantitatively.

Qualitative analysis.—Organs that normally accumulate the tracers were identified by means of visual inspection. Sites of accumulation that did not conform to the usual anatomic configurations of normal sites of radiotracer accumulation were considered abnormal. A scale was used to visually assess tumor uptake with reference to the surrounding background: 0, no uptake; 1, faint uptake less than that of the surrounding background; 2, uptake equal to that of the background; and 3, uptake greater than that of the background. FDG and MIBG images were then compared for overall quality and clarity of tumor definition, and the set of images was selected that was considered to better depict the tumors.

Semiquantitative analysis.—On images obtained 50–60 minutes after injection of FDG, regions of interest were placed over the tumor and identifiable noninvolved organs to serve as reference organs. For chest lesions, the reference organ was the lung; for abdominal lesions, the liver; and for extremity lesions, the surrounding muscle. Irregular regions of interest were constructed around the entire tumor, and a region of interest of approximately the same size was placed over the reference organs. Tumor-to–reference-organ ratios of radioactivity were calculated for those sets of images on which both the tumor and reference organ were within the attenuation-corrected field of view. Regions of interest of similar size and shape were drawn on SPECT images, and tumor-to–reference-organ ratios were calculated. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were derived from 3 x 3-pixel regions of interest centered over areas of greatest FDG accumulation within the tumor at 50–60 minutes. Tumor-to–reference-organ ratios for planar MIBG studies were derived from the geometric mean of the tumor activity divided by the geometric mean of the reference organ uptake and for SPECT studies from regions of interest of the same size and shape as those on the PET studies.

Biochemical Characterization
At the time of FDG PET, approximately 10 mL of blood was withdrawn via an indwelling intravenous catheter after the patient lay recumbent for 20 minutes. Plasma was separated and analyzed for catecholamines by means of high-performance liquid chromatography.

The 12- or 24-hour urine was collected for analysis of catecholamines—norepinephrine and epinephrine—and catecholamine metabolites—normetanephrine and metanephrine—by means of high-performance liquid chromatography and vanillylmandelic acid by means of column extraction.


    RESULTS
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
Findings in patients 1 and 13 have been reported previously (15). FDG PET and MIBG findings in patients with benign pheochromocytomas (patients 1–12) are given in Tables 1 and 2 and in patients with malignant pheochromocytomas (patients 13–29) are given in Tables 3 and 4.

Benign Pheochromocytomas
Qualitative analysis.—For the 12 benign tumors (Fig 1), uptake of FDG was seen in seven (58%) and of MIBG in 10 (83%). The pheochromocytomas in five of these patients accumulated both FDG and MIBG (Table 2), whereas those in the remaining seven patients accumulated either one or the other tracer but not both. The tumors that failed to accumulate MIBG avidly concentrated FDG (15). Each of the tumors that did not accumulate FDG was visualized with MIBG scintigraphy. For four of the five patients whose tumors accumulated both agents, MIBG images were ranked superior to FDG images.



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Figure 1. Patient 12. Benign pheochromocytoma (FDG positive, MIBG positive) in a 76-year-old man with recent history of prostate cancer. Abdominal CT depicted a right adrenal mass. Urinary catecholamine metabolites were elevated. Top left: PET scan (transverse plane) shows mildly increased accumulation of FDG in the region of the right adrenal gland (long arrow). A small amount of tracer is present in the left kidney (short arrow). Top right: SPECT scan (transverse plane) shows increased uptake (arrow) of 123I MIBG in the same location as in the PET scan. Bottom left: CT scan shows enlargement of the right adrenal gland (arrow). Bottom right: Posterior planar view of 123I MIBG scan at 24 hours shows markedly increased uptake in the right adrenal mass (arrow). The adrenal gland was removed and pheochromocytoma confirmed pathologically.

 
Semiquantitative analysis.—In the tumors that accumulated FDG (n = 7), SUVs ranged from 2.6 to 13.4 (mean, 7.1 ± 4.1 [SD]). The corresponding tumor-to–reference-organ ratios for FDG ranged from 1.2 to 8.8 (mean, 3.5 ± 2.7). The tumor-to–reference-organ ratios for the tumors that accumulated MIBG (n = 10) ranged from 0.9 to 2.9 (mean, 1.7 ± 0.7).

Malignant Pheochromocytomas
Findings in malignant pheochromocytomas are presented in Figures 2 4.



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Figure 2. Patient 13. Malignant pheochromocytoma (FDG positive, MIBG positive) in a 45-year-old woman with a history of cardiac pheochromocytoma removed 4 years previously (described in reference 15) and seen now with recurrence. Multiple prior MIBG scans (not shown) were negative, and MIBG scintigraphy was not repeated for this recurrence. Left: FDG PET scan (transverse plane) shows increased uptake (arrow) in the middle of the chest. Right: CT scan shows a heterogeneous 3 x 4-cm subcarinal mass (arrow). Scintigraphy with 111In pentetreotide (not shown) demonstrated moderate uptake in the mass. The lesion was subsequently removed and recurrence of pheochromocytoma confirmed.

 


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Figure 3. Patient 28. Malignant pheochromocytoma (FDG positive, MIBG positive) in a 66-year-old man with pheochromocytoma metastatic to bone. Top left: Posterior projection image from PET scan of the lower abdomen and pelvis demonstrates increased accumulation of FDG in the middle of the lumbar spine (short arrow) and left ilium (long arrow). Bladder activity is seen inferiorly in the midline. Top right: Posterior image from 131I MIBG scan of the lower abdomen and pelvis at 48 hours also shows uptake in the middle of the lumbar spine (white arrow) and left ilium (black arrow) corresponding to the foci identified on the PET scan. Bladder activity from MIBG excreted into the urinary tract is also noted. Bottom left: Posterior image of the lower thorax, abdomen, and pelvis from bone scan (made by means of computer-assisted stacking of posterior abdominal and pelvic images) 3 hours after intravenous administration of 25 mCi technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate demonstrates that the lesions depicted on the FDG PET and 131I MIBG scans are metastases (arrows) within bone. Bottom right: CT scan shows destruction of the left ilium (arrow) and L3 (not shown).

 


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Figure 4a. Patient 18. Malignant pheochromocytoma (MIBG positive, FDG positive) in a 37-year-old man with pheochromocytoma metastatic to the lungs. (a) FDG PET scan (transverse plane) shows minimally increased uptake (arrow). (b) SPECT 123I MIBG scan at 24 hours (transverse plane) shows abnormal uptake (arrow) in the right middle lung field. (c) For comparison, the CT scan shows a 1-cm-diameter right-side peribronchial mass (arrow).

 


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Figure 4b. Patient 18. Malignant pheochromocytoma (MIBG positive, FDG positive) in a 37-year-old man with pheochromocytoma metastatic to the lungs. (a) FDG PET scan (transverse plane) shows minimally increased uptake (arrow). (b) SPECT 123I MIBG scan at 24 hours (transverse plane) shows abnormal uptake (arrow) in the right middle lung field. (c) For comparison, the CT scan shows a 1-cm-diameter right-side peribronchial mass (arrow).

 


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Figure 4c. Patient 18. Malignant pheochromocytoma (MIBG positive, FDG positive) in a 37-year-old man with pheochromocytoma metastatic to the lungs. (a) FDG PET scan (transverse plane) shows minimally increased uptake (arrow). (b) SPECT 123I MIBG scan at 24 hours (transverse plane) shows abnormal uptake (arrow) in the right middle lung field. (c) For comparison, the CT scan shows a 1-cm-diameter right-side peribronchial mass (arrow).

 
Qualitative analysis.—Among the 17 patients with malignant pheochromocytomas, tumors in 14 (82%) concentrated FDG and in 15 (88%) concentrated MIBG (Table 3). Two patients had tumors that did not accumulate MIBG, and four had tumors that did not accumulate FDG. This included tumors in two patients that increased in diameter while being studied. The tumors in patient 21 did not concentrate sufficient FDG for visualization either before or after therapy with 131I MIBG, despite evidence of tumor progression. The tumor in patient 18, however, showed weak uptake of FDG prior to therapy with 131I MIBG but no uptake of FDG following therapy with 131I MIBG. Among the 12 patients whose tumors concentrated both FDG and MIBG, MIBG images were ranked as better than FDG images in six, MIBG and FDG images were equal in five, and FDG images were better than MIBG images in one. FDG and MIBG uptake in metastatic disease was similar to that in the principal tumor.

Semiquantitative analysis.—SUVs for positive FDG PET scans (n = 14 [only the initial study was used in patients examined more than once]) ranged from 1.6 to 13.3 (mean, 6.6 ± 3.4). Tumor-to–reference-organ ratios for FDG ranged from 2.0 to 17.0 (mean, 6.0 ± 3.8) and for MIBG (n = 16 [only the initial study was used in patients examined more than once]) ranged from 1.0 to 3.6 (mean, 2.2 ± 0.8).

In both benign and malignant pheochromocytomas, FDG uptake was unrelated to tumoral catecholamine production.


    DISCUSSION
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
FDG PET has been found to localize many different types of tumors, including those of the central nervous system, breast, lung, and colon. We previously reported successful localization of pheochromocytomas in two patients whose tumors failed to concentrate MIBG (15). In this study, we found that FDG PET localized the majority of pheochromocytomas, both benign or malignant and intraadrenal or extraadrenal. Overall sensitivity for tumor detection on a patient-by-patient basis was 72% (21 of 29 patients). The sensitivity in other series might be less because our patient population contained a large number of patients with malignant pheochromocytomas, which may accumulate FDG more frequently than do benign pheochromocytomas. In most positive cases, uptake was intense and impressive.

Semiquantitative analysis on the basis of SUVs and tumor-to–reference-organ ratios did not distinguish benign from malignant pheochromocytomas. The tumor-to–reference-organ index was calculated for FDG to allow comparison with that of MIBG, since the usually accepted quantification of FDG, the SUV, is based on very small regions of interest and may not reflect global tumor FDG uptake. Tumor-to–reference-organ SUVs for benign and malignant pheochromocytomas that accumulated FDG were in the range described for common malignant neoplasms. However, pheochromocytomas in eight (28%) of the 29 patients in this series did not show FDG uptake. SUV determinations are dependent on multiple factors, including time after injection, plasma glucose levels, recovery coefficients, and partial volume effects (20). Thus, different values might be found in different laboratories depending on the protocol and equipment used.

It is unclear why some pheochromocytomas, which appear clinically and histologically indistinct from tumors that concentrate FDG, do not concentrate the tracer. It is believed that increased glucose use by tumor cells may be due to a combination of factors—overexpression of glucose transporter proteins, elevated concentrations of hexokinase, and decreased rates of glucose-6-phosphate dephosphorylation (2123). However, some pheochromocytomas that accumulate MIBG poorly were well visualized with FDG and all that fail to concentrate FDG were well visualized with MIBG in this study. We have yet to encounter a pheochromocytoma that cannot be localized with one tracer or the other. FDG uptake appears unrelated to the secretory status of the tumor.

There are multiple single photon and positron emitting tracers available for detecting pheochromocytoma. After the first reports of 131I MIBG scintigraphy to detect pheochromocytoma, this agent has been used widely and found effective for the localization of benign pheochromocytomas and for the localization and monitoring of malignant pheochromocytomas. This technique uses a guanethidine analogue, MIBG, and the specific catecholamine uptake transport system of tissues of the sympathetic nervous system to concentrate the radiopharmaceutical within the tumor. Whole-body screening allows the detection of both intraadrenal and extraadrenal pheochromocytomas. Although 123I MIBG is not widely available in the United States, it is commercially available in Europe and is synthesized for local use at several large academic facilities in the United States.

The principal advantage to use of 123I MIBG is in image quality (ie, images have much higher counts) and the ability to perform high-quality SPECT. Radiation dosimetry for 123I MIBG (10 mCi) is favorable, and this allows approximately 20-fold greater activity to be administered for radiation exposure similar to that with 131I MIBG (0.5 mCi) (24). In patients with disseminated neuroblastoma, more lesions may be identified with 123I MIBG than with 131I MIBG, but this does not affect staging (25). To our knowledge, comparison data are not available in patients with pheochromocytoma, but our experience suggests that only very rarely can a pheochromocytoma be visualized with 123I MIBG and not with 131I MIBG (26). Thus, we pooled the 131I MIBG and 123I MIBG data for analysis.

We previously observed approximately 12% false-negative studies with MIBG scintigraphy and reported successful localization at FDG PET of two pheochromocytomas that did not concentrate MIBG (15). These observations provided the foundation for this more extensive investigation of the uptake of FDG by pheochromocytomas regardless of their MIBG avidity. Indium 111 pentetreotide depicts most pheochromocytomas, although results with this agent are inferior to those with MIBG for localizing pheochromocytomas (27). Other positron emitting tracers of the sympathetic nervous system have been evaluated and found to be concentrated within pheochromocytomas. These are carbon 11 metahydroxyephedrine, which is a norepinephrine analogue that shows excellent and rapid localization of pheochromocytoma, and 11C epinephrine (28,29). Like MIBG, these tracers use the catecholamine uptake pathway and catecholamine storage mechanisms characteristic of neuroendocrine tumors, especially pheochromocytomas and neuroblastomas. These agents may also be subject to interference from agents that inhibit uptake of MIBG. A similar number of false-negative studies might be expected with use of these positron emitting tracers of the sympathetic nervous system, although direct comparison studies would be required for certainty.

Though most histologically benign tumors can be distinguished from malignant neoplasms at FDG PET, we found that most pheochromocytomas, whether benign or malignant, are metabolically active and thus concentrate FDG (30,31). On the other hand, a minority of either benign or malignant pheochromocytomas did not accumulate FDG, even when clinical evidence suggested growth and uptake of FDG was expected. Thus, caution is warranted against concluding that absence of uptake of FDG excludes pheochromocytoma.

FDG PET helps localize the majority of pheochromocytomas. Because its sensitivity is slightly less than that of MIBG and its specificity is considerably lower due to uptake of FDG by a variety of other neoplastic and nonneoplastic processes, FDG PET is not recommended as a first line method to localize pheochromocytomas. However, the technique is a useful adjunct to MIBG scintigraphy and is of most value in the localization of pheochromocytomas when other methods have failed.


    Acknowledgments
 
The authors thank Laurie Enz for typing the manuscript for this article; Shirley Zempel, RNC, and Sharon Stetz, RNC, for assistance in patient care; Christine Allman, CNMT, Todd Hauser, CNMT, Paul Kison, CNMT, Edward McKenna, CNMT, Jill Rothley, CNMT, and Andrew Weeden, CNMT, for technologic expertise and support; Robert Koeppe, PhD, David E. Kuhl, MD, and Donald M. Wieland, PhD, for stimulating discussions; the cyclotron chemistry staff for the production of FDG; and William H. Beierwaltes, MD, without whose longstanding interest in the imaging of pheochromocytoma this work would not have been possible.


    Footnotes
 
Abbreviations: FDG = 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose MIBG = metaiodobenzylguanidine SUV = standardized uptake value

Author contributions: Guarantor of integrity of entire study, B.L.S.; study concepts, B.L.S., J.C.S.; study design, B.L.S.; definition of intellectual content, B.L.S., J.C.S.; literature research, B.L.S., I.R.F.; clinical studies, B.L.S., J.C.S., B.S., N.W.T.; data acquisition, B.L.S., J.C.S., N.W.T.; data analysis, B.L.S., J.C.S., B.S.; statistical analysis, B.L.S.; manuscript preparation, editing, and review, all authors.


    References
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 

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