68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT Reveals Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in a Case of Suspected Sphenoid Wing Meningioma

Clin Nucl Med. 2018 Apr;43(4):287-288. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001985.

Abstract

In this case of suspected sphenoid wing meningioma, Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT showed a somatostatin receptor (SSR)-expressing tumor with extension to the nasopharynx and SSR-expressing cervical lymph nodes. Subsequent biopsy from the nasopharynx revealed an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated, undifferentiated World Health Organization type 3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a potential clinical pitfall due to the reported high SSR expression of this tumor subtype. In consideration of the high target-to-background contrast, SSR ligands might be superior to F-FDG for EBV-associated NPC PET imaging, particularly at the skull base. Somatostatin receptor ligands might furthermore offer interesting theranostic possibilities for patients with advanced/extensive EBV-associated NPC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma / complications
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Meningioma / complications
  • Meningioma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / virology*
  • Organometallic Compounds*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • gallium Ga 68 dotatate