<sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for Neuroblastoma Staging: Utility for Clinical Use
Ata Ur Rehman Maaz, Jim O’Doherty, Mehdi Djekidel
Abstract
Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging has been the standard for neuroblastoma staging for many decades. Novel agents such as <sup>18</sup>F-DOPA and <sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE are being used nowadays in academic centers. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, procurement of <sup>123</sup>I-MIBG has proved particularly challenging, necessitating the use of <sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE PET. <sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE is Food and Drug Administration–approved for imaging of somatostatin receptor–positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. <b>Methods:</b><sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging was performed for staging of 3 pediatric patients with neuroblastoma at our institution. A review of the literature was also completed. <b>Results:</b><sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans were successfully performed on all patients. All patients showed <sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE–avid disease. PET scans showed an excellent spatial resolution and demonstrated high accuracy in concordance with current European Association of Nuclear Medicine guidelines. <b>Conclusion:</b> We have presented <sup>68</sup>Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging for staging of neuroblastoma and believe it can reliably be used as an alternative to <sup>123</sup>I-MIBG. It has technical, clinical, and practical advantages making it an attractive option. Further multicenter studies are required before it can be recommended for standard clinical use.