Evolution of a schmorl's node and a degenerative osteophyte on sequential 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT Scans: Potential pitfalls in neuroendocrine tumor imaging

Nir Hod, Daniel Levin, Reut Anconina, Elya Benkovich, Dina Ezroh Kazap, Sophie Lantsberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Schmorl's node (SN) arises from the herniation of the nucleus pulposus of the disc through the cartilaginous endplate into the body of the vertebra. Our report describes a patient with carcinoid tumor who underwent a series of 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans for follow-up, demonstrating gradually increasing focal vertebral uptake in absence of CT abnormality, suspicious for a metastasis. Both CT and MRI eventually revealed classical findings of a SN. Also observed in the same vertebra is a degenerative osteophyte showing intense 68 Ga-DOTATATE uptake. This interesting case shows 2 benign spinal lesions, which potentially can simulate bone metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e40-e42
JournalClinical Nuclear Medicine
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Ga-DOTATATE
  • PET/CT
  • Schmorl's node
  • degenerative osteophyte
  • neuroendocrine tumor
  • pitfall

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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