From Metastases to Splenosis: Resolving SSR PET Pitfalls with Tc-99m-Labeled Denatured Red Blood Cell Scintigraphy

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Introduction Somatostatin receptor (SSR) PET/CT is highly sensitive in detecting neuroendocrine tumors, most commonly originating from pancreatic-gastrointestinal tract and lung but can produce false positives due to benign conditions like splenosis [ 1 ]. Splenosis, the autotransplantation of splenic tissue after trauma or splenectomy, can mimic metastases on imaging [ 2 ]. Tc-99m-labeled denatured red blood cell scintigraphy is a reliable method to confirm ectopic splenic tissue, preventing unnecessary invasive procedures. However, literature on this diagnostic challenge is rare, underscoring the need for greater awareness of benign SSR PET/CT uptake patterns to avoid misdiagnosis. This case demonstrates the role of spleen scintigraphy in clarifying SSR PET/CT findings in a patient with lung carcinoid. Publication History Received: 12 April 2025 Accepted: 09 May 2025 Article published online: 06 August 2025 © 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany