[Recurrent carcinoid tumor and 18F-DOPA PET].

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Oncology
• Diagnostic imaging

Background:

• Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine neoplasms that can recur, necessitating sensitive diagnostic methods.
• Biological markers can suggest recurrence, but imaging is crucial for localization.

Observation:

• A patient presented with suspected carcinoid tumor recurrence based on biological indicators.
• Whole-body scintigraphy was employed to investigate the suspected recurrence.

Findings:

• OctreoScan revealed uptake in an abdominal mesenteric lymph node, indicative of metastatic disease.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 18F-DOPA identified uptake in the liver, consistent with liver metastases.

Implications:

• This case underscores the utility of combined scintigraphic techniques in detecting and localizing carcinoid tumor recurrence.
• Accurate staging through imaging is vital for guiding treatment decisions in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.