Somatostatin receptor imaging of olfactory neuroblastoma

Neural-crest tumours, including neuroblastomas, express somatostatin receptors. This can be shown by radionuclide labelling of octreotide, a somatostatin analogue. Studies on imaging with this substance have dealt with childhood neuroblastomas. Olfactory neuroblastoma (aesthesioneuroblastoma) is a rare tumour in which somatostatin receptor content has not been analysed, nor have radionuclide methods for diagnostic purposes been described. We report a case of olfactory neuroblastoma, in which scanning with 111In-labelled octreotide was performed. A strong uptake was seen at the base of the skull. This was confirmed as a recurrent tumour by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Uptake was also observed in the neck and chest, indicating extensive spread of the disease. Somatostatin receptor expression has been shown to correlate with prognosis in childhood neuroblastoma. The accuracy of labelled octreotide in the diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma indicates that it might be useful in radionuclide therapy of patients with advanced disease, when no other treatment modalities are available.