[Diagnosis and follow-up of head and neck paragangliomas. Contributions of nuclear medicine].

Abstract

Head and neck paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors that express somatostatin type 2 receptors and can consequently be visualized through nuclear imaging techniques, using radionuclide-labelled somatostatin analogs, specifically 111In-pentetreotide. 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy is a safe and non-invasive technique that can be used to explore the entire body; thus, multifocal paragangliomas as well as malignant paragangliomas with local and distant metastasis can be detected. Because this technique is functional, it is highly useful to confirm recurrence or residual tumors, as well as to follow-up patients undergoing surgery. Paragangliomas can be familial and consequently this technique can be used for screening of familial cases. Recently, other nuclear imaging techniques, based on positron emission tomography (PET) technology, have been developed for the diagnosis of these tumors. Appropriately radiolabeled somatostatin analogs could potentially be used for the treatment of paragangliomas.

• Authors: Pilar Tamayo Alonso, Ricardo Ruano Pérez, Angel Muñoz Herrera
• Journal: Acta otorrinolaringologica espanola (Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp) Vol. 60 Suppl 1 Pg. 68-75 (Feb 2009) ISSN: 0001-6519 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Diagnóstico y control evolutivo de los paragangliomas de cabeza y cuello. Aportaciones de la medicina nuclear.
• PMID: 19245777 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Indium Radioisotopes
• Somatostatin
• pentetreotide

Topics

• Follow-Up Studies
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Indium Radioisotopes
• Paraganglioma (diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy)
• Positron-Emission Tomography
• Somatostatin (analogs & derivatives)