Dhuha Al-Adhami, Ahmed Saad Abdlkadir, Nuha Saad Abdlkadir, Saad Ruzzeh, Marwah Abdulrahman, Issa Mohamad, Areej Abu Sheikha, Hongcheng Shi, Kalevi Kairemo, Akram Al-Ibraheem
Abdominal non-target [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC-avid findings represent a major interpretive challenge in [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT, as these findings often overlap with NET-predominant regions. Recognition of these patterns can increase diagnostic accuracy and support broader clinical integration of [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC beyond its conventional utility.
OBJECTIVES: This systematic review describes the spectrum, distribution, and etiologies of non‑target [68Ga]Ga‑DOTANOC‑avid lesions proven by histopathology or follow‑up to be unrelated to normal biodistribution or the primary SSTR‑expressing disease.
METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were utilized to conduct a systematic search and were updated until May 31, 2025. Three authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles and selected the articles on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS: Seventy-six eligible studies encompassing 542 patients reported 799 non-target [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC-avid findings. Nononcologic causes accounted for the majority (59.6%), with malignant oncologic and benign tumorous etiologies accounting for 30.2% and 10.3%, respectively. The abdomen was the most common anatomical site (38%), followed by the thorax (21.6%), head/neck (18.1%), and musculoskeletal system (13.1%), whereas pelvic involvement was least common (9%).
CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal non-target [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC-avid findings represent a major interpretive challenge in [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT, as these findings often overlap with NET-predominant regions. Recognition of these patterns can increase diagnostic accuracy and support broader clinical integration of [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC beyond its conventional utility.