Musculoskeletal pitfalls in ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT

Pitfalls do sistema musculoesquelético na PET/CT com ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA

Abstract

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a transmembrane protein expressed in normal prostate cells and overexpressed in prostate cancer. Consequently, it is an important tool in the evaluation of prostate cancer, including the staging of high-risk patients and the assessment of biochemical recurrence. Despite the “specific” designation, benign musculoskeletal conditions, such as fractures, osteodegenerative changes, and fibrous dysplasia, can also show PSMA uptake, which can lead to misinterpretation of the imaging findings. Therefore, radiologists must be aware of these potential pitfalls, understand their causes, and fully analyze their morphologic features on unfused computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging scans to correctly interpret the examination. In this pictorial essay, we review the basic characteristics of the ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA positron-emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) radiotracer, discuss potential causes of false-positive findings on ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT in the musculoskeletal system, and illustrate the corresponding imaging findings.

Keywords:
Gallium radioisotopes/metabolism; Prostate-specific antigen/metabolism; Positron emission tomography computed tomography; Musculoskeletal diseases/diagnostic imaging