[Detection of bone metastases in patients with neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors].
BACKGROUND
In patients with neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors and liver metastases, but without known extrahepatic manifestations, liver transplantation may be indicated as curativ or "long-term-palliativ" therapy. For these patients the absence of bone lesions is mandatory.


METHODS
4 patients with a histologically proven neuroendocrine tumor were examined in order to exclude further metastases. We compared the diagnostic value of somatostatin-receptor-scintigraphy (SRS), X-ray, 99mTc-DPD-scintigraphy, CT and MRI.


RESULTS
In all 4 patients bone metastases could be detected using SRS, CT und MRT. In one case MRI proved multiple infiltrations, while SRS showed only a solitary, focal lesion. 99mTc-DPD-scintigraphy was positive in 3 cases, X-ray in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
As a diagnostic strategy we initially recommend somatostatin-receptor-scintigraphy. When locating suspect areas in SRS, MRI should be the method of choice for the exact evaluation of malignant bone infiltrations. A CT-guided biopsy is necessary to gain histological information.
Steger
W
W
Strahlenklinik und Poliklinik, Humboldt-Universität Berlin.
Amthauer
H
H
Vogl
T J
TJ
Wiedenmann
B
B
Steger
S
S
Eichstädt
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography