[IN-111-DTPA-D-PHE(1)]OCTREOTIDE SCINTIGRAPHY IN THYROIDAL AND ORBITAL GRAVES-DISEASE - A PARAMETER FOR DISEASE-ACTIVITY

Visualization of malignant lymphomas and granulomatous disease is poss ible by [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe(1)]octreotide scintigraphy through binding of the radioligand to somatostatin receptors on activated leukocytes. Because thyroidal and orbital tissues are infiltrated by activated leu kocytes in Graves' disease, a cross-sectional study to visualize disea se activity with [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe(1)]octreotide scintigraphy was per formed. A correlation between thyroidal [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide accumulation and free T-4 (disease expression) and thyroid binding-in hibiting immunoglobulins (disease activity) is present in untreated hy perthyroid Graves' disease. There is also a correlation between orbita l [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe(1)]octreotide uptake and the clinical activity sc ore (disease activity) and total eye score (disease expression), respe ctively, in Graves' orbitopathy. Visualization of thyroidal and orbita l Graves' disease is feasible, but further investigation is necessary to establish the role of [In-111-DTPA-D-Phe(1)]octreotide scintigraphy in representing disease activity and expression and in predicting the rapeutical outcome.