Retrospective analysis of thyroid incidentalomas detected by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT

Endocrine. 2024 Oct;86(1):302-309. doi: 10.1007/s12020-024-03847-8. Epub 2024 May 10.

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer patients, undergo imaging procedures, with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (prostate-specific membrane antigen based positron emission tomography/computed tomography) utilized for primary and secondary staging. PSMA thyroid incidentalomas (PTI) are discovered in the thyroid gland while imaging prostate cancer patients with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT.

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical significance of PTIs detected on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Another goal was to identify a possible threshold for the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), above which a malignant growth could be suspected.

Study design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: 769 patients with prostat cancer who underwent [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans in the nuclear medicine department of a tertiary care hospital between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively screened in this study. We analyzed 67 patients in whom PTI was detected. Patients who exceeded the inclusion criteria had their thyroid ultrasonography and ultrasonography -guided fine needle aspiration findings analyzed.

Results: PTI was discovered in 67 patients (8%). 42 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Of the 4 malignant patients (9.5%) in the study population, 2 were classified as TIRADS 3 and 2 were classified as TIRADS 4. The cut-off SUVmax value was found to be 5.6. With 100% sensitivity and 47.37% specificity, a cutoff SUVmax of 5.3 was determined through receiver-operator characteristic analysis in order to predict malignant cytology.

Conclusion: PTI is a significant clinical finding; most of diffuse and focal uptakes are frequently related to benign diseases. Each center should establish its own a possible SUVmax cut-off over which a malignant lesion should be suspected.

Keywords: PET (Positron emission tomography); PSMA (Prostate-specific membrane antigen); Prostate cancer; Thyroid; Thyroid incidentaloma.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Edetic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Gallium Isotopes*
  • Gallium Radioisotopes*
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligopeptides
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Gallium Isotopes
  • gallium 68 PSMA-11
  • Edetic Acid
  • Oligopeptides
  • PSMA-11