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Targeted Molecular Imaging in Adrenal Disease—An Emerging Role for Metomidate PET-CT

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Mendichovszky, IA 
Powlson, AS 
Aigbirhio, FI 
Cheow, H 

Abstract

Adrenal lesions present a significant diagnostic burden for both radiologists and endocrinologists, especially with the increasing number of adrenal 'incidentalomas' detected on modern computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A key objective is the reliable distinction of benign disease from either primary adrenal malignancy (e.g., adrenocortical carcinoma or malignant forms of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL)) or metastases (e.g., bronchial, renal). Benign lesions may still be associated with adverse sequelae through autonomous hormone hypersecretion (e.g., primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, phaeochromocytoma). Here, identifying a causative lesion, or lateralising the disease to a single adrenal gland, is key to effective management, as unilateral adrenalectomy may offer the potential for curing conditions that are typically associated with significant excess morbidity and mortality. This review considers the evolving role of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in addressing the limitations of traditional cross-sectional imaging and adjunctive techniques, such as venous sampling, in the management of adrenal disorders. We review the development of targeted molecular imaging to the adrenocortical enzymes CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 with different radiolabeled metomidate compounds. Particular consideration is given to iodo-metomidate PET tracers for the diagnosis and management of adrenocortical carcinoma, and the increasingly recognized utility of 11C-metomidate PET-CT in primary aldosteronism.

Description

Keywords

adrenal, adrenocortical carcinoma, metomidate, nuclear medicine, primary aldosteronism

Journal Title

Diagnostics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2075-4418
2075-4418

Volume Title

6

Publisher

MDPI
Sponsorship
Department of Health (via National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)) (NF-SI-0515-10067)
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (unknown)
Medical Research Council (MR/M009041/1)
Medical Research Council (MR/M024873/1)
NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre