Nuclear medicine imaging modalities to detect incidentalomas and their impact on patient management: a systematic review

Purpose This systematic review aims to investigate the role of nuclear imaging techniques in detecting incidentalomas and their impact on patient management. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted from February to May 2022. Studies in English involving p...

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Published in:Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 2024-07, Vol.150 (7), p.368, Article 368
Main Authors: Costanzo, Roberta, Scalia, Gianluca, Strigari, Lidia, Ippolito, Massimiliano, Paolini, Federica, Brunasso, Lara, Sciortino, Andrea, Iacopino, Domenico Gerardo, Maugeri, Rosario, Ferini, Gianluca, Viola, Anna, Zagardo, Valentina, Cosentino, Sebastiano, Umana, Giuseppe E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer Research
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Hematology
Humans
Incidental Findings
Internal Medicine
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neoplasms - diagnosis
Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging
Neuroendocrine tumors
Nuclear medicine
Nuclear Medicine - methods
Oncology
Positron emission tomography
Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography - methods
Prostate cancer
Radiopharmaceuticals
Review
Spatial discrimination
Systematic review
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Summary:Purpose This systematic review aims to investigate the role of nuclear imaging techniques in detecting incidentalomas and their impact on patient management. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted from February to May 2022. Studies in English involving patients undergoing nuclear medicine studies with incidental tumor findings were included. Data on imaging modalities, incidentaloma characteristics, management changes, and follow-up were extracted and analyzed. Results Ninety-two studies involving 64.884 patients were included. Incidentalomas were detected in 611 cases (0.9%), with thyroid being the most common site. PET/CT with FDG and choline tracers showed the highest incidentaloma detection rates. Detection of incidentalomas led to a change in therapeutic strategy in 59% of cases. Various radiotracers demonstrated high sensitivity for incidentaloma detection, particularly in neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. Conclusion Nuclear imaging techniques play a crucial role in detecting incidentalomas, leading to significant changes in patient management. The high sensitivity of these modalities highlights their potential in routine oncology follow-up protocols. Future directions may include enhancing spatial resolution and promoting theranostic approaches for improved patient care.
ISSN:1432-1335
0171-5216
1432-1335
DOI:10.1007/s00432-024-05891-3