Current status of functional imaging in neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma disease

Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the detection of paraganglioma (PGL), pheochromocytoma (PCC), and neuroblastoma (NB). Anatomic imaging, for example CT or MRI, offers high sensitivity in these neuroendocrine tumors (NET) but only moderate specificity, often associated with difficulties in clearly distinguishing between NET and non-NET. Functional imaging, as in the use of different radioisotopes, is indispensable in oncological imaging. The introduction of PET and PET/CT, respectively, led to a dramatic improvement in both malignant and non-malignant PGL, PCC, and NB, assessing the exact tumor extent. This review gives an overview of functional and anatomical imaging in PGL, PCC, and NB.