DYNAMIC OCTREOTIDE SCINTIGRAPHY IN NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the optimal time f or scintigraphy after injection of the radio-labelled somatostatin ana logue, Octreotide. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the value of SP ECT. One SPECT study and up to 4 whole body scans were performed in 22 patients with neuroendocrine tumours 0.5, 5, 24 and 48 hours after an injection of 110 MBq In-DTPA Octreotide. A total of 98 scintigrams we re studied. A pathological uptake was found in 19 of the 22 patients. In 3 cases, early scintigrams (0.5 and 5 hours after injection) were o f the most value whereas late scintigrams (24 and 48 hours) were the b est in 4 cases. SPECT was found to be of value in 13 of 21 cases. For correct interpretation of Octreotide scintigraphy it is necessary to o btain both early and late scintigrams as well as a SPECT study.