Multiple approaches with [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE, a somatostatin analog PET radiotracer, have demonstrated clinical utility in evaluation of meningioma but have not been compared directly. Our purpose was to compare diagnostic performance of different approaches to quantitative brain [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI analysis in patients with suspected meningioma recurrence and to establish the optimal diagnostic threshold for each method. Patients with suspected meningioma were imaged prospectively with [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE brain PET/MRI. Lesions were classified as meningiomas and post-treatment change (PTC), using follow-up pathology and MRI as reference standard. Lesions were reclassified using the following methods: absolute maximum SUV threshold (SUV), SUV ratio (SUVR) to superior sagittal sinus (SSS) (SUVRsss), SUVR to the pituitary gland (SUVRpit), and SUVR to the normal brain parenchyma (SUVRnorm). Diagnostic performance of the four methods was compared using contingency tables and McNemar’s test. Previously published pre-determined thresholds were assessed where applicable. The optimal thresholds for each method were identified using Youden’s J statistics. 166 meningiomas and 41 PTC lesions were identified across 62 patients. SUV, SUVRsss, SUVRpit, and SUVRnorm of meningioma were significantly higher than those of PTC (P < 0.0001). The optimal thresholds for SUV, SUVRsss, SUVRpit, and SUVRnorm were 4.7, 3.2, 0.3, and 62.6, respectively. At the optimal thresholds, SUV had the highest specificity (97.6%) and SUVRsss had the highest sensitivity (86.1%). An ROC analysis of SUV, SUVRsss, SUVRpit, and SUVRnorm revealed AUC of 0.932, 0.910, 0.915, and 0.800, respectively (P < 0.0001). Developing a diagnostic threshold is key to wider clinical translation of [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI in meningioma evaluation. We found that the SUVRsss method may have the most robust combination of sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of meningioma in the post-treatment setting, with the optimal threshold of 3.2. Future studies validating our findings in different patient populations are needed to continue optimizing the diagnostic performance of [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI in meningioma patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04081701. Registered 9 September 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04081701.

Meningiomas express high levels of somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2). SSTR2-targeted PET imaging with [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE can aid with distinguishing residual meningioma from reactive changes in the postoperative setting. We present initial dosimetric analyses, acute events, and local control data utilizing [⁶⁸Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI-assisted target delineation for prospectively-treated intermediate-risk meningiomas. Twenty-nine patients underwent DOTATATE PET/MRI meningioma evaluation in 2019. Eight patients with 9 postoperative meningiomas met RTOG 0539 intermediate-risk criteria (recurrent WHO grade I, 1/9; WHO grade II, 8/9). Target volumes were created using DOTATATE PET/MRI to determine residual disease and received a nominal dose of 35.0 Gy over 5 fractions. For comparison, cases were recontoured and planned with MRI alone per RTOG 0539 guidelines. Mean and maximum equivalent 2 Gy doses were generated for target volumes and organs at risk (OAR) within 1 cm of the PTV and compared using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. DOTATATE PET/MRI-guided planning significantly reduced mean PTV (11.12 cm³ compared to 71.39 cm³ based on MRI alone, P < .05) and mean and max dose to the whole brain, optic nerves, and scalp. PET/MRI plans resulted in at least 50% reduction of mean and max doses to the lens, eyes, chiasm, cochlea, brainstem, and hippocampi. One patient experienced focal alopecia. There were no local recurrences at 6 months. Incorporating DOTATATE-PET/MRI for postoperative target delineation in patients with intermediate-risk intracranial meningiomas results in PTV reduction and decreased OAR dose. Our findings warrant larger studies evaluating DOTATATE-PET/MRI in the radiotherapeutic planning of postoperative meningiomas.