Ciblage des tissus endométriaux par la 16α -[ 18 F]fluoro- 17β -œstradiol (PET-[18F]FES) : résultats préliminaires dans le diagnostic de l’endométriose

Objectives. - Positron emission tomography with 16 alpha-[F-18]fluoro-17 beta-cestradiol (PET-[F-18]FES) is used to evaluate the in vivo tissue density in estrogen receptor (ER). We report here the first cases in the diagnosis of endometriosis.Patients and methods. - Four patients with clinical and morphological signs (pelvic ultrasound +/- MRI) consistent with endometriosis were enrolled in this National Grant PHRC ENDOTEP. They underwent a PET-[F-18]FES scan before laparoscopy (macroscopic and histological analysis, immuno-histochemical ER expression).Results. - In the four patients, the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed on the typical macroscopic appearance of laparoscopy plus histological analysis of at least one lesion. No uptake of [F-18]FES by endometriosis lesions was observed in the first three patients with estrogen-progestin therapy. The fourth patient, untreated and in the first part of the menstrual cycle when performing PET-[F-18]FES, had however an increased [F-18]FES uptake of one lesion of endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy.Conclusion. - We report here the first case of [F-18]FES uptake by an endometriosis lesion. With the ENDOTEP trial, the performance of PET[F-18]FES for the diagnosis of endometriosis will be evaluated in patients who are not receiving hormone therapy. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.