68Ga-DOTATATE Breast Uptake and Expression in Breast Milk

The excretion of Ga-DOTA-Octreotate (DOTATATE) and related somatostatin analogues in breast milk has not been demonstrated. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman, 7 months postpartum and breastfeeding, who was referred for DOTATATE imaging after the diagnosis of appendiceal carcinoid and subsequent appendectomy. Prominent breast uptake was noted. A breast milk sample from the patient at 90 minutes postinjection was assayed in a gamma counter and shown to have a concentration of 5.6 Bq/g per MBq administered. The excretion of DOTATATE in breast milk is important to consider when providing radiation safety advice to breastfeeding patients.