Abstract
Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neutral amino acid that resembles natural L-dopa (dopamine precursor). It enters the catecholamine metabolic pathway of endogenous L-DOPA in the brain and peripheral tissues. It is amenable to labeling with fluorine-18 (F) for PET imaging and was originally used in patients with Parkinson's disease to assess the integrity of the striatal dopaminergic system. The recent introduction and use of hybrid PET/CT scanners has contributed significantly to the management of a series of other pathologies including neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and pancreatic cell hyperplasia. These pathologic entities present an increased activity of L-DOPA decarboxylase and therefore demonstrate high uptake of F-DOPA. Despite these potentially promising applications in several clinical fields, the role of F-DOPA has not been elucidated completely yet because of associated difficulties in synthesis and availability. Unfortunately, the available literature does not provide recommendations for procedures or administered activity, acquisition timing, and premedication with carbidopa. The aim of this paper is to outline the physiological biodistribution and normal variants, including possible pitfalls that may lead to misinterpretations of the scans in various clinical settings.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1141-1149 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Nuclear Medicine Communications |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
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Keywords
- 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT
- F-DOPA
- F-DOPA pitfalls
- F-DOPA variants
- biodistribution
- L-6-fluoro-3
- physiologic pattern
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Cite this
Normal biodistribution pattern and physiologic variants of 18F-DOPA PET imaging. / Chondrogiannis, Sotirios; Cristina Marzola, Maria; Al-Nahhas, Adil; Venkatanarayana, Thirumalesha D.; Mazza, Alberto; Opocher, Giuseppe; Rubello, Domenico.
In: Nuclear Medicine Communications, Vol. 34, No. 12, 12.2013, p. 1141-1149.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Normal biodistribution pattern and physiologic variants of 18F-DOPA PET imaging
AU - Chondrogiannis, Sotirios
AU - Cristina Marzola, Maria
AU - Al-Nahhas, Adil
AU - Venkatanarayana, Thirumalesha D.
AU - Mazza, Alberto
AU - Opocher, Giuseppe
AU - Rubello, Domenico
PY - 2013/12
Y1 - 2013/12
N2 - Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neutral amino acid that resembles natural L-dopa (dopamine precursor). It enters the catecholamine metabolic pathway of endogenous L-DOPA in the brain and peripheral tissues. It is amenable to labeling with fluorine-18 (F) for PET imaging and was originally used in patients with Parkinson's disease to assess the integrity of the striatal dopaminergic system. The recent introduction and use of hybrid PET/CT scanners has contributed significantly to the management of a series of other pathologies including neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and pancreatic cell hyperplasia. These pathologic entities present an increased activity of L-DOPA decarboxylase and therefore demonstrate high uptake of F-DOPA. Despite these potentially promising applications in several clinical fields, the role of F-DOPA has not been elucidated completely yet because of associated difficulties in synthesis and availability. Unfortunately, the available literature does not provide recommendations for procedures or administered activity, acquisition timing, and premedication with carbidopa. The aim of this paper is to outline the physiological biodistribution and normal variants, including possible pitfalls that may lead to misinterpretations of the scans in various clinical settings.
AB - Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is a neutral amino acid that resembles natural L-dopa (dopamine precursor). It enters the catecholamine metabolic pathway of endogenous L-DOPA in the brain and peripheral tissues. It is amenable to labeling with fluorine-18 (F) for PET imaging and was originally used in patients with Parkinson's disease to assess the integrity of the striatal dopaminergic system. The recent introduction and use of hybrid PET/CT scanners has contributed significantly to the management of a series of other pathologies including neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and pancreatic cell hyperplasia. These pathologic entities present an increased activity of L-DOPA decarboxylase and therefore demonstrate high uptake of F-DOPA. Despite these potentially promising applications in several clinical fields, the role of F-DOPA has not been elucidated completely yet because of associated difficulties in synthesis and availability. Unfortunately, the available literature does not provide recommendations for procedures or administered activity, acquisition timing, and premedication with carbidopa. The aim of this paper is to outline the physiological biodistribution and normal variants, including possible pitfalls that may lead to misinterpretations of the scans in various clinical settings.
KW - 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT
KW - F-DOPA
KW - F-DOPA pitfalls
KW - F-DOPA variants
KW - biodistribution
KW - L-6-fluoro-3
KW - physiologic pattern
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84887258844&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84887258844&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/MNM.0000000000000008
DO - 10.1097/MNM.0000000000000008
M3 - Article
C2 - 24128899
AN - SCOPUS:84887258844
VL - 34
SP - 1141
EP - 1149
JO - Nuclear Medicine Communications
JF - Nuclear Medicine Communications
SN - 0143-3636
IS - 12
ER -