Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Imaging of neuroendocrine tumors: accuracy of helical CT versus SRS

  • Original article
  • Published:
Abdominal Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: We retrospectively compared the accuracy of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) with that of helical computed tomography (CT) in the detection and localization of primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Methods: A medical record search identified 27 patients with known or clinically suspected neuroendocrine tumors who underwent helical CT and SRS within 3 months of one another at our institution. CT images were evaluated retrospectively by two blinded radiologists who used consensus reading. Images were evaluated for the presence or absence of primary tumor and hepatic and extrahepatic metastases. CT results were compared with the SRS report as interpreted by the nuclear medicine physicians. The results of the surgical, clinical follow-up, and pathologic findings were considered as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for both imaging techniques. In addition, McNemar analysis was performed to determine statistically significant differences between CT and SRS.

Results: Helical CT was more sensitive than SRS in the detection of extrahepatic metastases, and the difference between the two imaging modalities was statistically significant (p = 0.0312) as determined by the McNemar chi-square test. However, the difference between CT and SRS in detecting primary neuroendocrine tumors, hepatic metastasis, and combined hepatic and extrahepatic metastasis was not statistically significant (p = 0.625, 1.000, and 1.000, respectively).

Conclusion: Helical CT and SRS have similar sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting primary neuroendocrine tumor and hepatic metastasis. However, helical CT appears to be more sensitive in detecting extrahepatic metastasis from primary neuroendocrine tumors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AG Pearse (1969) ArticleTitleThe cytochemistry and ultrastructure of polypeptide hormone-producing cells of the APUD series and the embryologic, physiologic and pathologic implications of the concept J Histochem Cytochem 17 303–313 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF1MXktVWgu7k%3D Occurrence Handle4143745

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MB Lobrano K McCarthy L Adams H Neitzschman (1997) ArticleTitleMetastatic carcinoid tumor imaged with CT and a radiolabeled somatostatin analog: a case report Am J Gastroenterol 92 513–515 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiB387ktlI%3D Occurrence Handle9068482

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • RR Perry AI Vinik (1996) ArticleTitleEndocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract Annu Rev Med 47 57–68 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.med.47.1.57 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XitlSnsbY%3D Occurrence Handle8712803

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DJ Kwekkeboom SW Lamberts JD Habbema EP Krenning (1996) ArticleTitleCost-effectiveness analysis of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy J Nucl Med 37 886–892 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymA3c%2FjsVE%3D Occurrence Handle8683305

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • CM King RH Reznek J Bomanji et al. (1993) ArticleTitleImaging neuroendocrine tumours with radiolabelled somatostatin analogues and X-ray computed tomography: a comparative study Clin Radiol 48 386–391 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuC38zltlU%3D Occurrence Handle8293643

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • W Shi CF Johnston KD Buchanan et al. (1998) ArticleTitleLocalization of neuroendocrine tumours with [111In]DTPA-octreotide scintigraphy (Octreoscan): a comparative study with CT and MR imaging QJM 91 295–301 Occurrence Handle10.1093/qjmed/91.4.295 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1czjtFGkug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9666953

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • IR Kamel MA Choti KM Horton et al. (2003) ArticleTitleSurgically staged focal liver lesions: accuracy and reproducibility of dual-phase helical CT for detection and characterization Radiology 227 752–757 Occurrence Handle12773679

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • KD Hopper K Singapuri A Finkel (2000) ArticleTitleBody CT and oncologic imaging Radiology 215 27–40 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3hslWlug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10751464

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C Valls E Andia A Sanchez et al. (2001) ArticleTitleHepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: preoperative detection and assessment of resectability with helical CT Radiology 218 55–60 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MzitFCltg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11152779

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Frucht JL Doppman JA Norton et al. (1989) ArticleTitleGastrinomas: comparison of MR imaging with CT, angiography, and US Radiology 171 713–717 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaB2c7itVw%3D Occurrence Handle2655004

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GD Slooter A Mearadji WA Breeman et al. (2001) ArticleTitleSomatostatin receptor imaging, therapy and new strategies in patients with neuroendocrine tumours Br J Surg 88 31–40 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2168.2001.01644.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7isFGguw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11136306

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LK Kvols M Buck CG Moertel et al. (1987) ArticleTitleTreatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma with a somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) Ann Intern Med 107 162–168 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiiB28fps1w%3D Occurrence Handle2886085

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C Mahler J Verhelst M de Longueville A Harris (1990) ArticleTitleLong-term treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma with the somatostatin analogue octreotide Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 33 261–269 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6D3s%2FgsFE%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EK Fishman (2001) ArticleTitleFrom the RSNA refresher courses: CT angiography: clinical applications in the abdomen Radiographics 21 S3–S16 Occurrence Handle11598244

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J Rydberg KA Buckwalter KS Caldemeyer et al. (2000) ArticleTitleMultisection CT: scanning techniques and clinical applications Radiographics 20 1787–1806 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7gtlSisA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11112829

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Ji JD McTavish KJ Mortele et al. (2001) ArticleTitleHepatic imaging with multidetector CT Radiographics 21 S71–S80 Occurrence Handle11598249

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SW Lamberts JC Reubi WH Bakker EP Krenning (1990) ArticleTitleSomatostatin receptor imaging with 123I-Tyr3-octreotide Z Gastroenterol 28 IssueIDsuppl 2 20–21 Occurrence Handle1980773

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O Kisker RJ Weinel J Geks et al. (1996) ArticleTitleValue of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy for preoperative localization of carcinoids World J Surg 20 162–167 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002689900025 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymA38rmtVE%3D Occurrence Handle8661812

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H Scherubl M Bader U Fett et al. (1993) ArticleTitleSomatostatin-receptor imaging of neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors Gastroenterology 105 1705–1709 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD2svosFU%3D Occurrence Handle7902821

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O Schillaci A Spanu F Scopinaro et al. (2003) ArticleTitleSomatostatin receptor scintigraphy in liver metastasis detection from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors J Nucl Med 44 359–368 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXislKntbo%3D Occurrence Handle12621001

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • R Lebtahi G Cadiot L Sarda et al. (1997) ArticleTitleClinical impact of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in the management of patients with neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors J Nucl Med 38 853–858 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiA3s3ps1M%3D Occurrence Handle9189129

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Y Krausz J Bar-Ziv RB de Jong et al. (1998) ArticleTitleSomatostatin-receptor scintigraphy in the management of gastroenteropancreatic tumors Am J Gastroenterol 93 66–70 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0002-9270(97)00024-5 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7gslyltA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9448177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • V Briganti M Matteini P Ferri et al. (2001) ArticleTitleOctreoscan SPET evaluation in the diagnosis of pancreas neuroendocrine tumors Cancer Biother Radiopharm 16 515–524 Occurrence Handle10.1089/10849780152752119 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2FmtlKqsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11789028

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A Chiti S Fanti G Savelli et al. (1998) ArticleTitleComparison of somatostatin receptor imaging, computed tomography and ultrasound in the clinical management of neuroendocrine gastro-entero-pancreatic tumours Eur J Nucl Med 25 1396–1403 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002590050314 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXmtFegt7w%3D Occurrence Handle9818279

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SW Lamberts JC Reubi EP Krenning (1993) ArticleTitleValidation of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in the localization of neuroendocrine tumors Acta Oncol 32 167–170 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyA3M3lslM%3D Occurrence Handle8391830

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • EP Krenning DJ Kwekkeboom WH Bakker et al. (1993) ArticleTitleSomatostatin receptor scintigraphy with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1] [123I-Tyr3]- and [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1] [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide: the Rotterdam experience with more than 1000 patients Eur J Nucl Med 20 716–731 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD3cbhtVw%3D Occurrence Handle8404961

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A Oliaro PL Filosso M Bello et al. (1997) ArticleTitleUse of 111In-DTPA-octreotide scintigraphy in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumors of the lung. Preliminary results J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 38 313–315 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiA28zhs1Q%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    B. Kumbasar, I. R. Kamel, A. Tekes, J. Eng & E. K. Fishman

  2. Division of Nuclear Medicine, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 North Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    R. L. Wahl

Authors
  1. B. Kumbasar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. R. Kamel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Tekes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Eng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. K. Fishman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. L. Wahl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kumbasar, B., Kamel, I., Tekes, A. et al. Imaging of neuroendocrine tumors: accuracy of helical CT versus SRS. Abdom Imaging 29, 696–702 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-003-0162-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-003-0162-3

Search

Navigation