Schmorl nodes can cause increased 68Ga DOTATATE activity on PET/CT, mimicking metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine malignancy

Georgios Z. Papadakis, Corina Millo, Ulas Bagci, Samira M. Sadowski, Constantine A. Stratakis*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Schmorl node (SN) is the herniation of the nucleus pulposus through the cartilaginous and bony endplate into the adjacent vertebral body. It is documented that SNs produce areas of moderately increased 18F-FDG uptake.We present a case of a patient with history of neuroendocrine tumor, who underwent 68Ga DOTATATE PET/CT for follow-up, showing increased focal vertebral uptake suggestive of bone metastasis. CT revealed typical findings of an SN. The presented case indicates that SNs should be considered when encountering focally increased skeletal uptake in 68Ga DOTATATE PET/CT studies, which can mimic metastasis in patients with history of neuroendocrine tumors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-250
Number of pages2
JournalClinical nuclear medicine
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ga DOTATATE PET/CT
  • Inflammation
  • Neuroendocrine tumor
  • Schmorl node

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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