ESPE Abstracts

Background: In congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT plays an essential role in differentiating between focal and diffuse CHI forms and in the analysis of the localization of a potential focus before surgery.

Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this retrospective analysis was the evaluation of the ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT efficacy in a large cohort of CHI patients.

Method: In the last few years 193 ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CTs were performed in our centre in CHI patients and we performed a retrospective analysis of specificity and sensitivity based on the results of the histological evaluation of the samples after surgery, clinical course of the patient and molecular genetic findings.

Results: With one exception it was possible in all cases with the ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT to differentiate between focal and diffuse CHI forms in addition to molecular genetic results. However, in three cases the ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT failed to visualize the complete expansion of the affected region and the giant spreading of the focus was identified during surgery. Finally, in three cases the CHI patients received in addition to the ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT scan a DOTATOC PET CT. Thereby one focus was additionally identified, which would have been missed with the traditional approach using only the ¹⁸F-DOPA PET CT.

Conclusion: The imaging diagnostics is a critical step in the work up of patients with CHI. Being aware of the advantages and pitfalls of this method is an important step to improve the quality of the diagnostic and finally the therapeutic regime in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism.