Nils Friedemann Schreiter, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Alexander Huppertz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG

Ulrich-Frank Pape MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bernd K. Hamm MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Bayer AG Research Consultant, Toshiba Corporation Stockholder, Siemens AG Stockholder, General Electric Company Research grant, Toshiba Corporation Research grant, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV Research grant, Siemens AG Research grant, General Electric Company Research grant, Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd Research grant, Bayer AG Research grant, Guerbet AG Research grant, Bracco Group Research grant, B. Braun Melsungen AG Research grant, KRAUTH medical KG Research grant, Boston Scientific Corporation Equipment support, Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd Investigator, Copenhagen Malmo Contrast AB

Winfried Brenner, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Bayer AG

Martin Helmut Maurer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Although somatostatin receptor PET/CT gains increasing popularity, In-111-DTPA-octreotide is still the current standard for diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NET). In several studies somatostatin receptor PET/CT has shown its superiority in lesion detection and localization suggesting a reduction of further diagnostic tests in comparison to octreotide SPECT. Aim of this study was to compare the costs for the examinations and the respective consequential costs.

From January 2009 to July 2009, 51 consecutive patients with enteropancreatic NETs who underwent contrast-enhanced Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT (n=29) or In-111-DTPA-octreotide (mean: 3 whole-body scans plus 1.6 low-dose SPECT/CT; n=22) were included. For cost analysis, direct costs (equipment) and variable costs (material, labor) per examination were calculated. Additionally required CT and/or MRI examinations within the staging process were assessed as consequential costs. An additional deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed.

A Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT examination yielded total costs (direct, variable and consequential costs) of EUR 380. On the other hand, an In-111-DTPA-octreotide examination resulted in EUR 1000 total costs. Costs for equipment and material had a share of (Ga-68-DOTATOC / In-111-DTPA-octreotide): EUR 290 / EUR 839, labor costs: EUR 89 / EUR 161. With Ga-68-DOTATOC additional MRI had to be performed in 7% resulting in a mean of EUR 19 of consequential costs, with In-111-DTPA-octreotide additional MRI and/or CT in 82% of patients resulted in EUR 156 of consequential costs.

Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT was considerably cheaper than In-111-DTPA-octreotide with respect to both material and personal costs. Furthermore, by using Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT considerably less additional examinations were needed reducing the consequential costs significantly.

Ga-68-DOTATOC PET/CT has the potential to reduce the costs for staging neuroendocrine tumors significantly.

Schreiter, N, Huppertz, A, Pape, U, Hamm, B, Brenner, W, Maurer, M, Determination of Costs and Consequential Costs for the Staging of Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with Ga-68 DOTATOC PET/CT and In-111-DTPA-Octreotide SPECT.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11009811.html