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Somatostatin receptor expression in the thyroid demonstrated with 111In-octreotide scintigraphy
W Becker1, U Schrell, M Buchfelder
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, FRG.
Nuklearmedizin. Nuclear Medicine
|June 1, 1995
Summary
111In-octreotide scintigraphy, used for neuroendocrine tumor localization, can show uptake in the thyroid gland. This uptake is predominantly observed in patients with endemic goiter, sometimes with co-existing thyroid autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- 111In-octreotide scintigraphy is a key diagnostic tool for localizing neuroendocrine tumors expressing somatostatin receptors.
- Understanding incidental findings in non-target organs is crucial for accurate interpretation of scintigraphic results.
Observation:
- This study investigated thyroid conditions associated with unexpected 111In-octreotide uptake.
- 26 patients undergoing scintigraphy for tumor localization were evaluated for thyroid disease using sonography and 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy.
Findings:
- 14 out of 26 patients exhibited 111In thyroid uptake.
- This uptake was primarily observed in patients with endemic goiters, with two cases showing associated thyroid autonomy and one case of Graves' disease.
- 12 patients had no significant thyroid uptake and presented with normal thyroid glands.
Implications:
- 111In-octreotide uptake in the thyroid gland is not necessarily indicative of malignancy and frequently occurs in benign thyroid conditions like endemic goiter.
- Clinicians should be aware of this potential finding to avoid misinterpretation during neuroendocrine tumor workup.
- Further investigation into the specific mechanisms of somatostatin receptor expression in benign thyroid pathologies may be warranted.