Utility of 18F-FDOPA PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of canine pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical tumors clinically mimicking pheochromocytoma

This study evaluated the utility of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine (¹⁸F-FDOPA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the differential diagnosis of canine pheochromocytoma. In some cases, conventional diagnostic methods, including hormonal assays and imaging modalities, may have limited ability to differentiate adrenal tumor types in dogs. ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT, a novel nuclear imaging modality, addresses these limitations by providing functional assessment of catecholamine-producing cells, offering higher accuracy and specificity in detecting pheochromocytomas. In this study, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT was effective in localizing a pheochromocytoma, guiding surgical intervention, and aiding clinical decision-making. In cases of adrenocortical tumors clinically mimicking pheochromocytoma, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT revealed no significant uptake, facilitating the identification of alternative adrenal pathologies. These results highlight the potential utility of ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT as a complementary diagnostic tool in cases where conventional methods yield inconclusive results. These findings suggest that using ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET/CT as a standard diagnostic tool for canine adrenal tumors can enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment planning. Further studies are recommended to validate these findings in larger populations and to establish standardized protocols for veterinary practice.