Radiolabeled somatostatin analog scintigraphy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
After intravenous administration of a radiolabeled somatostatin analog (octreotide), an image of the thyroid gland is frequently observed; few data are available, however, on somatostatin receptors in epithelial thyroid cells assessed in vitro and on images of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with pentetreotide scintigraphy.


METHODS
In four patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma, whole-body scintigraphy was performed 4 to 48 hr after injection of 110 MBq of 111In-pentetreotide. The results were compared to data obtained with other imaging modalities, including scintigraphy performed after administration of a therapeutic dose of 131I.


RESULTS
There were positive foci in distant metastases on 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy. Pentetreotide scintigraphy was positive in two patients with an "insular" form of DTC, one of whom had a positive (faintly) 131I scan. Of the other two patients with papillary DTC without radioiodine uptake, only one exhibited a certain degree of pentetreotide scintigraphy positivity in distant metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show promise for exploration of insular thyroid carcinoma and suggest that these carcinomas may possess functional differentiation features, including somatostatin receptors.
Tenenbaum
F
F
Services de Médecine Nucléaire et d'Histopathologie Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Lumbroso
J
J
Schlumberger
M
M
Caillou
B
B
Fragu
P
P
Parmentier
C
C
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; D013004:Somatostatin; C081788:pentetreotide