68-Gallium DOTATATE scanning in symptomatic patients with negative anatomic imaging but suspected neuroendocrine tumor

AIM: The study's aim was to determine the utility of 68-Gallium DOTATATE positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scanning in patients with carcinoid-like symptoms and negative anatomical imaging. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 22 of 196 patients with carcinoid-like symptoms and no evidence of primary neuroendocrine tumor (NET) based on anatomical imaging and endoscopy who underwent 68-Gallium DOTATATE PET-CT as part of a prospective clinical trial. RESULTS: Of the biochemically positive patients (n = 11), 18% (n = 2) had additional evidence of NETs based on 68-Gallium DOTATATE PET-CT. Of the patients identified by 68-Gallium DOTATATE PET-CT, 50% (n = 1) had a treatment change and 100% showed symptom improvement. Of the biochemically negative patients (n = 11), 68-Gallium DOTATATE PET-CT identified NETs in 64% (n = 7). Change in management occurred in 71% patients, and 57% of patients showed symptom improvement. CONCLUSION: 68-Gallium DOTATATE PET-CT imaging is useful in detecting NETs in symptomatic patients with negative anatomical imaging and changes the treatments in these patients.