title: [Detection of bone metastases in patients with neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Strahlenklinik und Poliklinik, Humboldt-Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amthauer
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiedenmann
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Eichstädt
mesh_terms: 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