18F-DOPA PET/CT scan for Hyperinsulinism
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Description
This study is sponsored by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Department of Radiology. The purpose of this research is to study 18F-L-Fluoro-DOPA (F-DOPA), a tracer, which is used to take pictures of the pancreas. This imaging test is called an F-DOPA PET scan. The F-DOPA tracer is used to highlight areas of the pancreas that make too much insulin on the PET scan images. The test includes a CT scan (computerized tomography) done at the same time on the same machine, to help define exactly where the highlighted area is located within the pancreas and determine the location of blood vessels and other vital structures. Who can participate:
- Infants, children and adults with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, diagnosed by a fasting test and/or response to glucagon stimulation
- Any age, from birth on
- Requiring surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas
Eligibility and criteria
What to expect
If the HI team decides your child qualifies for this study, you will be asked to participate prior to the scheduled surgery. The process you and your child will undergo includes:
- An interview to collect your families' medical information.
- Physical examination of your child.
- Blood sample collection.
- Intravenous catheter.
- Anesthesia or sedation for PET/CT scan depending on the patient's age.
- Fasting, if the test being done is under sedation or anesthesia.
- F-DOPA injection.
- PET/CT scan.
Related specialties
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