Dihydroxy-phenylalanine (DOPA) is an endogenous precursor of amino acids and messenger substances. Special, possibly hormone-producing tumors (pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas) and their metastases are detected using 18F-DOPA.
18F-DOPA-PET/CT detects a tiny metastasis (arrows) of a pheochromocytoma, which is practically undetectable on CT.
18F-DOPA-PETis covered by health insurance in most cases. In special cases, it is necessary to obtain a cost approval from the referring doctor in advance for this examination, or some of the costs incurred must be borne by the patient.
For details see PDF, page 105ffMoreover, for licensing reasons, the substance is only produced in France on a few days per month and has to be imported. A certain waiting time is therefore to be expected.
Senior Attending Physician, Vice Director of Department, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Attending Physician with extended responsibilites, Department of Nuclear Medicine
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