Could 68Ga-somatostatin analogues replace other PET tracers in evaluating extra-adrenal paragangliomas?

Abstract

Extra-adrenal paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare tumours that develop from neuroendocrine cells derived from the neural crest. They may arise anywhere along the paraganglion system and can be associated with the sympathetic or the parasympathetic nervous system. Extra-adrenal PGLs of the sympathetic chains usually cause symptoms of catecholamine over-secretion. Conversely, parasympathetic head and neck (H&N) and thoracic PGLs are almost always non-secreting tumours which are discovered on imaging studies or revealed by symptoms of compression or infiltration of the adjacent