Successful use of 111In-pentetrotide scintigraphy for localizing ectopic adrenocorticotropin-producing bronchial carcinoid tumor in a patient with Cushing's syndrome

Intern Med. 2003 Oct;42(10):996-1005. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.996.

Abstract

A 34-year-old man was diagnosed with clinical Cushing's syndrome based on circadian fluctuation of plasma adrenocorticotropin and serum cortisol levels and Liddle's-method. The presence of ectopic adrenocorticotropin production was suspected. Urine 5-hydroxyindoleaceturic acid level was high. Chest computed-tomography scan revealed a mass in the right upper lung. 111In-pentetrotide scintigraphy demonstrated marked accumulation in the right upper lung. We suspected an adrenocorticotropin-producing bronchial carcinoid. Plasma adrenocorticotropin and serum cortisol levels decreased immediately following resection of the tumor. Adrenocorticotropin production by tumor cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. This case indicates 111In-pentetrotide scintigraphy could be successfully used to identify and localize ectopic adrenocorticotropin-producing bronchial carcinoid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / diagnostic imaging
  • ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / complications
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / complications
  • Carcinoid Tumor / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoid Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes*
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Somatostatin
  • pentetreotide