Time-of-Flight PET/CT Imaging of Ga-68-Dotatate: Normal Pattern, SUV Quantification, and Differences from Non-Time-of-Flight Imaging

Purpose The biodistribution of gallium-68-dotatate (Ga-68-dotatate) and standardized uptake values (SUVs) using non-time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) cameras is well established. However, with the eventual retirement of older PET cameras and their replacement with newer, highly sensitive TOF PET/CT cameras, where SUVmax measurements are reportedly higher, updated knowledge of normal SUVmax range is needed and, to our knowledge, not previously reported. Our objectives are as follows: Methods Fifty consecutive patients referred routinely to our nuclear medicine service (20 men, 30 women; median age 55 years) with presumed neuroendocrine tumors underwent Ga-68-dotatate scans on a PET-CT camera having capability of reconstructing both TOF/non-TOF images. Region of interests (ROIs) were drawn around 24 normal structures as well as the primary lesion with abnormal radiotracer uptake and SUVmax was measured. The same ROI was analyzed using both algorithms simultaneously and both TOF and non-TOF SUVmax values were compared. Results Twelve hundred ROIs were evaluated. Non-TOF Ga-68-dotatate uptake in normal structures was in alignment with previously published studies. As compared to non-TOF, TOF images had better target to background ratios visually. TOF SUVmax was higher for all structures except for lung and brain. TOF SUVmax was more than double in adrenals/uncinate process of the pancreas; approximately 1.8 times in abnormal lesions, lymph nodes, pineal gland; and greater than 1.5 times in thyroid, breast, and pancreatic head. Conclusion Normal database of Ga-68-dotatate TOF SUVmax is provided for common structures to aid visual detection of abnormalities objectively. Overall, TOF SUVmax measures higher in identical ROIs, with abnormal lesions measuring approximately 1.8 times higher versus non-TOF technology. These findings need to be taken in consideration when comparing patient scans imaged on different PET/CT technologies.