IN-111-OCTREOTIDE AND (123) AND FOR I-MIB G SCINTIGRAPHY FOR IMAGING CARCINOIDS AND ITS METASTASES - RESULTS OF A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION

Aim: This study compares the diagnostic value of In-111-Octreotide- an d I-123-MIBG scintigraphy in the diagnostic imaging of carcinoids and correlates relates the result with CT findings. Methods: Twenty-eight patients underwent octreotide-, MIBG scintigraphy and CT examination w ithin a short time period. Results: In 13/15 preoperatively examined p atients somatostatin receptor expression of the tumor was demonstrated ; MIBG-uptake was found in 8/15 cases. Octreotide and MIBG scintigraph y revealed liver metastases in 26 and 19 cases, respectively. CT-exami nations detected liver metastases in 22 cases. The number of metastati c lesions found by MIBG and CT was lower than with octreotide. In 3 pa tients unknown mediastinal lesions were detected by the octreotide sca n, 2/3 did not show MIBG uptake. In 5 non-hormone secreting tumors sho wn by octreotide scintigraphy, no MIBG uptake was found. With respect to the diagnostic accuracy octreotide scintigraphy appeared superior t o MIBG. Conclusion: MIBG scans do not provide additional diagnostic in formation compared to octreotide scintigraphy. MIBG scintigraphy may b e potentially useful in terms of planning I-131-MIBG therapy only.