NETs (Neuroendocrine tumours) – A pictorial review

Introduction: Some of the commonly encountered NETs include – GEP NETs, bronchial NETs, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma and medullary carcinoma thyroid. The radiotracers, characteristic locations of occurrence, imaging features and role of nuclear medicine imaging in these tumours will be described in this exhibit.

Methods: Some of the radiotracers discussed will include MIBG, SSTR agonists and DOPA with their relative advantages and disadvantages. A pictorial review of cases of NET – medullary carcinoma thyroid, bronchial carcinoid, GEP NET(WHO classification and grading; non-functional and functional – insulinoma, gastrinoma), neuroblastoma(various locations), pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma (various locations – head and neck (glomus tympanicum, glomus jugulare, glomus vagale, carotid body tumour; chest; abdominal) highlighting of role of nuclear imaging in various clinical scenarios will be provided including diagnosis, staging, response assessment, recurrence and therapy planning (assessment of tumour grade) including diagnostic pearls and pitfalls.

Results: The exhibit will be described under following headings – Radiotracers and their physiologic distribution; Case Scenarios using these radiotracers highlighting location, imaging features and specific role and Pearls and pitfalls.

Conclusions: In this exhibit, we present cases that highlight the role of nuclear imaging in various NETs.