9272 Diagnostic utility of 11C-Methionine PET-CT imaging in persistent or recurrent Cushing’s disease after transsphenoidal surgery

Abstract Disclosure: R. Furnica: None. F. Devuyst: None. C. Mathey: None. S. Constantinescu: None. C. De Herdt: None. L. Renaud: None. D.M. Maiter: None. Introduction: Equivocal or negative pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings pose a significant challenge in the management of persistent or recurrent Cushing’s disease (CD), compromising the chances of success of a further transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). The aim of our study was to determine the diagnostic utility of [1][1]C-methionine (MET) positron emission tomography coupled with computerized tomography (PET-CT) in localizing the residual corticotroph adenoma. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the results of all MET-PET-CT performed between May 2002 and November 2023 in patients with a CD persisting or relapsing after TSS, and equivocal (n=14) or negative pituitary MRI findings (n=8). In 15 cases, images obtained from MET-PET were also co-registered with a high-resolution 3D pituitary MRI. All patients had a pathologically confirmed corticotroph tumor, and/or biochemical evidence of early postoperative remission after the first TSS, and/or proven ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome with positive bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Results: Twenty-two patients were included (18 females and 4 males), with a mean age of 35.5 years at diagnosis. Initial tumors were mostly microadenomas with a mean tumor volume of 15 mm3. Thirteen out of the 22 patients had a suspect anomaly on conventional MRI that could however not be clearly distinguished from postsurgical changes, while the remaining 9 had a negative MRI. A significant MET standardized uptake value (SUV) in the suspected area of the tumor residue was defined as a ratio ≥ 1.80 relative to cerebellum SUV and was found in 12/22 patients (55%; 4 patients with negative pituitary MRI and 8 with equivocal findings). On the basis of positive imaging, repeat TSS was performed in 10 patients and was successful in 6, while Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) was performed in 2 patients allowing remission in both (total remission rate: 8/12). Among the 4 patients not cured by TSS, the presence of corticotroph adenoma in the resected tissue was found in 3 cases. Exploratory TSS was performed in 4 of the 10 PET negative patients, with no remission. Two patients were treated with GKRS, with remission in 1 case. Among the 4 other patients, bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in one case and adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors were used in the remaining patients. Conclusions: [1][1]C-Methionine PET-CT imaging can provide valuable diagnostic information to detect a residual active corticotroph adenoma in about half of patients with a persistent or recurrent CD and equivocal or negative MRI results, thereby allowing targeted TSS or radiosurgery with a global success rate of 67% in this selected subpopulation. Presentation: 6/1/2024