[Gammagraphy of somatostatin receptors in an ACTH secreting thymic carcinoid]

Rev Esp Med Nucl. 1999;18(2):99-103.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Ectopic ACTH secretion represent 10 to 15% in the causes of Cushing's syndrome. Carcinoid tumor of the thymus is a rare neoplasm and is currently believed to arise from population of thymic cells of neural crest origin. We present the case of a 43-year-old man with a corticotropin hormone (ACTH) secreting thymus carcinoid. 111In-octreotide scintigraphy demonstrated an intense uptaken on the lesion. The surgical specimen measured 17 x 18 x 18 cm and weighed 1. 25 kg. Postoperatively the patient was treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A follow-up 111In-octreotide scintigraphy was normal. Very few scintigraphic images of these lesions have been published in the literature. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy can be successful in the detection and follow-up of ACTH-secreting neuroendocrine tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoid Tumor / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hormones, Ectopic / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Octreotide
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptors, Somatostatin*
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Thymus Neoplasms / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Hormones, Ectopic
  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Receptors, Somatostatin
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Octreotide