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Costanzo R, Scalia G, Strigari L, Ippolito M, Paolini F, Brunasso L, Sciortino A, Iacopino DG, Maugeri R, Ferini G, Viola A, Zagardo V, Cosentino S, Umana GE. Nuclear medicine imaging modalities to detect incidentalomas and their impact on patient management: a systematic review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:368. [PMID: 39052066 PMCID: PMC11272692 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05891-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review aims to investigate the role of nuclear imaging techniques in detecting incidentalomas and their impact on patient management. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted from February to May 2022. Studies in English involving patients undergoing nuclear medicine studies with incidental tumor findings were included. Data on imaging modalities, incidentaloma characteristics, management changes, and follow-up were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS Ninety-two studies involving 64.884 patients were included. Incidentalomas were detected in 611 cases (0.9%), with thyroid being the most common site. PET/CT with FDG and choline tracers showed the highest incidentaloma detection rates. Detection of incidentalomas led to a change in therapeutic strategy in 59% of cases. Various radiotracers demonstrated high sensitivity for incidentaloma detection, particularly in neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. CONCLUSION Nuclear imaging techniques play a crucial role in detecting incidentalomas, leading to significant changes in patient management. The high sensitivity of these modalities highlights their potential in routine oncology follow-up protocols. Future directions may include enhancing spatial resolution and promoting theranostic approaches for improved patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Costanzo
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Scalia
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy.
| | - Lidia Strigari
- Department of Medical Physics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Ippolito
- Department of Advanced Technologies, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Paolini
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lara Brunasso
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Sciortino
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Gerardo Iacopino
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosario Maugeri
- Department of Biomedicine Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", School of Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ferini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, REM Radioterapia Srl, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Anna Viola
- Radiation Oncology Unit, REM Radioterapia Srl, Viagrande, Italy
| | | | - Sebastiano Cosentino
- Department of Advanced Technologies, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe E Umana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma and Gamma-Knife Center, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, Enna, Italy
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Ciappuccini R, Licaj I, Lasne-Cardon A, Babin E, de Raucourt D, Blanchard D, Bastit V, Saguet-Rysanek V, Lequesne J, Peyronnet D, Grellard JM, Clarisse B, Bardet S. 18F-Fluorocholine Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography is a Highly Sensitive but Poorly Specific Tool for Identifying Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytology: The Chocolate Study. Thyroid 2021; 31:800-809. [PMID: 33183159 PMCID: PMC8110014 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Refining the risk of malignancy in patients presenting with thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology (IC) is a critical challenge. We investigated the performances of 18F-fluorocholine (FCH) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to predict malignancy. Methods: Between May 2016 and March 2019, 107 patients presenting with a thyroid nodule ≥15 mm with IC and eligible for surgery were included in this prospective study. Head-and-neck PET/CT acquisitions were performed 20 and 60 minutes after injection of 1.5 MBq/kg of FCH. PET/CT acquisition was scored positive when maximal standardized uptake value in the IC nodule was higher than in the thyroid background. Pathology was the gold standard for diagnosis. Results: At pathology, 19 (18%) nodules were malignant, 87 were benign, and one was a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive-predictive value (PPV), and negative-predictive value (NPV) of FCH PET/CT in detecting cancer or NIFTP were 90%, 50%, 55%, 29%, and 96% at 20 minutes and 85%, 49%, 67%, 28%, and 94% at 60 minutes, respectively. Higher specificity (58% vs. 33%, p = 0.01) was observed in nononcocytic (n = 72) than in oncocytic IC nodules (n = 35). The pre-PET/CT probability of cancer or NIFTP in Bethesda III-IV nodules was 11% and the post-PET/CT probability was 19% in PET-positives and 0% in PET-negatives. In retrospective analysis, 42% of surgeries would have been unnecessary after PET/CT and 81% before (p < 0.001), resulting in a hypothetical 48% reduction (95% confidence interval [32-64]). Conclusions: FCH PET/CT offers high NPV to reliably exclude cancer in PET-negative IC nodules, but suffers from low PPV, particularly in those with oncocytic cytology. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02784223.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renaud Ciappuccini
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Unit, François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
- INSERM 1086 ANTICIPE, Caen University, Caen, France
- Address correspondence to: Renaud Ciappuccini, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Unit, François Baclesse Cancer Centre, 3 Avenue Général Harris, Caen, F-14000, France
| | - Idlir Licaj
- Department of Clinical Research and François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | - Audrey Lasne-Cardon
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | - Emmanuel Babin
- INSERM 1086 ANTICIPE, Caen University, Caen, France
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Caen, France
| | | | - David Blanchard
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital Saint-Martin, Caen, France
| | - Vianney Bastit
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | | | - Justine Lequesne
- Department of Clinical Research and François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | - Damien Peyronnet
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Caen, France
| | - Jean-Michel Grellard
- Department of Clinical Research and François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | - Bénédicte Clarisse
- Department of Clinical Research and François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
| | - Stéphane Bardet
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Unit, François Baclesse Cancer Centre, Caen, France
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Roland A, Drouet C, Boulahdour H, Cochet A, De Bari B. Unusual uptakes on 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT): a retrospective study of 368 prostate cancer patients referred for a biochemical recurrence or an initial staging. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2021; 11:172-182. [PMID: 33392020 DOI: 10.21037/qims-19-981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-choline PET/CT) is considered a cornerstone in the staging and restaging of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess unusual uptakes in patients who underwent a F-choline PET/CT for the initial staging or for the restaging of a relapsing PCa. Methods Three hundred and sixty-eight PCa patients were staged or restaged using F-choline PET/CT. Unusual uptakes were defined as uptakes occurring outside the usual paths of diffusion of PCa or as uptake in bone with a clear morphological evidence of nonmetastatic lesion. Results We found unusual uptakes in 47/368 patients (12.8%). Among them, 41/47 presented with benign F-choline uptake, usually within lymph nodes, due to inflammatory processes (22/47). Other benign processes were found in: thyroid (3/47), adrenal gland (3/47), brain (2/47), liver (1/47), bowel (3/47), frontal sinus (1/47), lungs (4/47), parotid gland (1/47) and bone (1/47). The six remaining patients presented with a second cancer, including lymphoma (1/47), non-small cell lung cancer (4/47) and neuroendocrine tumor (1/47). Conclusions unusual uptakes on F-choline PET/CT are quite frequent and should be explored since they may correspond to non-PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Roland
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Clément Drouet
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
| | - Hatem Boulahdour
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Alexandre Cochet
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Georges-François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France.,ImViA EA 7535, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Berardino De Bari
- Radiation Oncology Department, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France
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Bertagna F, Albano D, Giovanella L, Giubbini R, Treglia G. F18-choline/C11-choline PET/CT thyroid incidentalomas. Endocrine 2019; 64:203-208. [PMID: 30637562 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01841-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thyroid incidentaloma is defined as a thyroid lesion incidentally and newly detected by imaging techniques performed for an unrelated purpose and especially for a non-thyroid disease. Aim of this review is to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of focal incidental radiolabelled choline uptake in the thyroid gland (CTI) revealed by PET or PET/CT. METHODS A comprehensive computer literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted to find relevant published articles about the prevalence and clinical significance of CTIs detected by PET or PET/CT in patients studied for other oncologic purposes. RESULTS Fifteen articles (14 case reports, one retrospective study on a larger population sample) were included in the systematic review. Considering the case reports, 7/14 CTIs were benign and 7/14 malignant. In the retrospective study on a larger population sample, 14/15 CTIs which underwent further investigations were benign. CONCLUSION Despite very rare but probably underestimated, CTIs frequently signal in the presence of unexpected lesions in the thyroid that differ from the indicated reason for which the patient was initially scanned, and the risk of malignancy is not negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bertagna
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Domenico Albano
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Raffaele Giubbini
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Center, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Health Technology Assessment Unit, General Directorate, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Thyroid Incidentaloma on 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT Revealing a Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Clin Nucl Med 2019; 44:663-665. [DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000002559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Piccardo A, Trimboli P, Foppiani L, Treglia G, Ferrarazzo G, Massollo M, Bottoni G, Giovanella L. PET/CT in thyroid nodule and differentiated thyroid cancer patients. The evidence-based state of the art. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2019; 20:47-64. [PMID: 30900067 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-019-09491-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A more conservative approach to the clinical management of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer has recently been proposed by the 2015 ATA guidelines. In this context, fine-needle aspiration biopsy has been reserved for nodules with particular ultrasound features or dimensions that exclude low-risk thyroid lesions. Accordingly, a less aggressive surgical approach (i.e. lobectomy) has been recommended as the first-choice treatment in nodules with indeterminate cytology or in small cytologically confirmed malignant nodules. At the same time, radioactive remnant ablation has been considered only for DTC patients with concrete risks of disease persistence/relapse after thyroidectomy. In addition, further radioactive iodine therapies (RAI) have been proposed only for patients presenting unresectable and iodine-avid structural relapse. In this complex scenario, which requires attention to each clinical aspect of the patient, the introduction of accurate diagnostic tools is highly warranted. PET/CT is a very sensitive and specific diagnostic procedure that can better characterize the risk of thyroid nodules, identify DTC relapse early and predict the response to RAI. Thus, it seems essential to customize a more conservative approach to thyroid nodules and DTC patients. The aim of this review is to report the principal clinical context in which PET/CT has been used and to evaluate the evidence-based support for each diagnostic indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Galliera Hospital, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luca Foppiani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Health Technology Assessment Unit, General Directorate, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Ferrarazzo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Galliera Hospital, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Massollo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Galliera Hospital, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bottoni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Galliera Hospital, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Albano D, Durmo R, Bertagna F, Giubbini R. 18F-choline PET/CT incidental thyroid uptake in patients studied for prostate cancer. Endocrine 2019; 63:531-536. [PMID: 30594973 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-01832-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid incidental uptake is defined as a thyroid uptake incidentally detected by imaging examinations performed for non-thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence and the pathological nature of focal thyroid incidental uptake (FTIU) among patients studied with 18F-choline-PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 368 patients who performed 18F-choline-PET/CT between June 2016 and August 2018. The PET images were analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively by measuring the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the mean SUV (SUVmean) of the thyroid gland and of the FTIU; every focal thyroid uptake deviating from physiological distribution and background was considered FTIU. Final diagnosis of FTIU was obtained by cytological or histological examination after surgery. RESULTS The average SUVmax and SUVmean of thyroid gland in population were 3 and 1.8. Among 368 patients, FTIU was identified in nine cases (2.4%) and eight underwent further investigations to determine the nature. Two FTIU were classified as malignant (thyroid carcinoma), whereas five were benign (three nodular hyperplasia, one follicular adenoma, one Hurtle cell adenoma) and one indeterminate at cytological examination. In malignant lesions, average SUVmax was 9.6 and 4.5, respectively, while average SUVmean was 5.3 and 2.9, respectively. Average SUVmax and SUVmean of benign lesions were 4.9 and 3.2 and of the indeterminate lesion 5 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS 18F-choline-PET/CT FTIU may be a relevant diagnostic reality, which requires further investigations and affects management, especially considering that, despite being mainly benign, also malignancy is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rexhep Durmo
- Nuclear Medicine, Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertagna
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Raffaele Giubbini
- Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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