Potential Applications of (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in the Evaluation of Salivary Gland Uptake Function: Preliminary Observations and Comparison with (99m)TcO(4)(−) Salivary Gland Scintigraphy

PURPOSE: To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and potential of using (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in evaluating the function of salivary glands and lacrimal glands in comparison with (99m)Tc-pertechnetate ((99m)TcO(4)(−)) salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 15 patients with different degrees of xerostomia and suspected salivary gland dysfunction. Each patient underwent (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT first and SGS the next day, and the findings of both scans were compared. RESULTS: The results of (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and SGS were consistent in 12/15 patients (80%) and were inconsistent in the remaining patients (20%). For 5 (33.3%) of 15 patients, (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT provided more information than did SGS. Additionally, (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT corrected the misdiagnosis by SGS for 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT is a potentially useful imaging tool for evaluating the function of salivary glands and lacrimal glands. (68)Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT can be a promising supplement to SGS, and its clinical value deserves further study.